Local Business Leaders to be Honored

Feb. 8, 2016 - PRLog -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a national nonprofit focused on finding preventions, treatments and cures for retinal diseases, will present its Visionary Award to local leaders, Dr. Matt and Katherine Bruckel, and George Paz, at its 7^th Annual St. Louis Dining in the Dark Visionary Awards Dinner, Monday, February 15.

The unique fundraiser will take place at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. Dinner guests will be encouraged to eat their main course while blindfolded to experience vision loss first hand. The evening’s proceeds will support research into gene, cell and pharmaceutical-based therapies for blinding retinal diseases including macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa that affect more than 10 million Americans.

Dr. Matt Bruckel is the founder, president and chief executive officer of Total Access Urgent Care.  He founded Total Access Urgent Care based on his decades of experience as an emergency physician.  His goal was to create a cost-effective alternative to the traditional healthcare system; one that would optimize the patient’s experience.  Dr. Bruckel is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine.   His past work experience includes serving as the Chief Resident at the University of Maryland/Shock Trauma Medical Center in Baltimore and serving in combat zones as an emergency physician and Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Corps of the United States Navy. Katherine Bruckel is active in many philanthropic endeavors including Habitat for Humanity and Operation Smile.  She is a Board Member of the Lubin-Green Foundation.

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George Paz is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Express Scripts.  Express Scripts is one of the nation’s leading full service pharmacy benefits management companies.  Founded in 1986, Express Scripts delivers more than a million prescriptions daily through its network of retail pharmacies and home delivery services. Paz joined Express Scripts in 1998 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  He became president in 2003 and Chief Executive Officer in 2005.

“Now in its 7^th year, St. Louis, Dining in the Dark has introduced thousands of people to the tremendous work of the Foundation Fighting Blindness”, said Dinner Co-Chair Jason Morris.  “The unique perspective attendees’ gain from dining without the benefit of sight is very impactful and leaves a lasting impression of the importance of the FFB’s mission”.

Since its inception in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness has raised over $600 million to support vision-saving research.  Over 70 percent of all money donated to FFB goes to support research and public health education.

Sponsor opportunities are available and range from $2,500 to $50,000.  Individual tickets are available at $250.  For ticket and sponsorship information contact Rachel Martin at RMartin@FightBlindness.org or 847 680-0100.