MLB praises Red Sox Scholars program

Here's some very nice recognition by Major League Baseball for the Red Sox Scholars program, for which BIDMC is the Presenting Sponsor. Here are some excerpts from the announcement:

Major League Baseball announced today that the Boston Red Sox have been named the recipient of the inaugural Commissioner's Award for Philanthropic Excellence. Created by Major League Baseball and chosen by a Blue Ribbon Panel comprised of Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig and MLB Executives, the award recognizes the Red Sox extraordinary charitable programs, run by the Red Sox Foundation, which have resulted in significant and sustained community impact.

Commissioner Selig presented the club with the award today at the Industry Meetings in Orlando, FL. . . .In singling out the Red Sox for this prestigious award, the Commissioner praised the depth of the Red Sox charitable programs and specifically the impact of the Red Sox Scholars program, the educational cornerstone of the Red Sox Foundation.

... said Commissioner Selig. "I congratulate the entire Boston Red Sox organization, and particularly the Red Sox Foundation, for their commitment to the future of hundreds of young people from the inner-cities of Boston."

... Each year, the Red Sox select 25 academically talented, economically disadvantaged Boston Public School students in 5th grade as Red Sox Scholars. Through the program, run by the Red Sox Foundation, the Scholars receive tutoring, mentoring, after school enrichment opportunities, summer camp assistance, and other leadership development activities. Red Sox Foundation staff members work with the Scholars intensively in 6th through 12th grades and each Scholar is awarded a $10,000 college scholarship redeemable upon graduation from high school with enrollment in an accredited college, and on condition of continued good citizenship. There are currently 200 Red Sox Scholars with members of the first class selected in 2003 now college freshmen.

The Red Sox Scholars program is presented by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), the Official Hospital of the Boston Red Sox. Over the years, almost 200 BIDMC physicians, nurses, medical technicians and administrators have been individually paired with the Scholars as Medical Champions. BIDMC also hosts "Shadow Days" for the Scholars each year, giving them an opportunity to visit the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, the Simulation Center and Skills Lab, and other parts of the medical center to be exposed to a variety of careers in medicine.