TexanPlus®, a leading local Medicare Advantage health plan, announced Monday the five finalists in the annual TexanPlus Champions competition and said online voting is underway to determine the 2016 Grand Champion. TexanPlus created the competition to honor individuals who help older adults in Houston/ Beaumont live healthier and happier lives.

All of the finalists and their stories are featured on www.TexanPlusChampions.com. Community members can read about them and vote daily for a Grand Champion through September 16th.

The Champion with the most votes will be named the 2016 TexanPlus Grand Champion. He or she will be honored at the Houston Astros game on September 23rd during the pregame ceremony. The winner will present a $25,000 donation to his or her chosen charitable organization at that time.

“Our 2016 TexanPlus Champions are doing extraordinary work for seniors in Southeast Texas,” said Erin Page, president of TexanPlus. “Each of our finalists deserves recognition and will be honored at a Houston Astros game on September 23rd. The public can get involved by reading the Champions’ personal stories on our website and voting for one Grand Champion.”

TexanPlus Champions are members of the local community who are examples of how one person can make a difference in the lives of older adults. The competition is a way to recognize people who share TexanPlus’ goals of improving quality of life and maximizing access to services for seniors and people with Medicare.

Meet the Five TexanPlus Champions:

  • Alice Adam - Alice Adam provides pro bono legal services to those who need it most. Through her work with the Houston Bar Association’s Elder Law Committee, Alice generously helps Houston’s low-income seniors with a variety of end-of-life legal services at no charge. She assists seniors with their wills, medical powers of attorney, guardianship, and other essential affairs they need taken care of, but can’t afford.
  • Annette Bisanz - Annette Bisanz saw a problem and decided to fix it. As founder of Senior Rides and More, her mission is to provide free transportation to non-driving seniors who wish to remain independent and at home. Senior Rides has been active in the greater Houston community for over 20 years and is the only organization offering free transportation to seniors.
  • Sandra Massie Hines - For Sandra Massie Hines, helping her community is not a choice, but a calling. As co-founder of Atlanta Library of Peace, a Houston Civil Rights Activist and the Honorary Mayor of Sunnyside, she serves the community in many ways. Perhaps most important is the way she makes it her personal mission to improve the lives of seniors through her work with the Houston Food Bank.
  • Toby Johnson - Toby Johnson does more for senior military veterans than many volunteers half his age. At 91 years young, Toby is spritely and full of love, spending his days at the VA medical center volunteering for Evelyn Rubenstein JCC. Toby enjoys being with seniors, and spends up to eight hours a day with them. For veterans who don’t have many visitors, Toby is essential to their daily routines and their mental wellbeing.
  • Kathy Martin - When Kathy Martin began volunteering at Mission Northeast in New Caney, she was hooked the second she walked in those doors. From the very first day, Kathy fell in love with helping seniors and bringing joy to others in the community. Mission Northeast’s main mission is to distribute food, clothing, and household items, providing services to 6,000-7,000 seniors-in-need each year. Kathy is currently the organization’s Program Director, heading the Senior Home Delivery program.

Go to www.TexanPlusChampions.com to read the Champions’ full stories and watch their videos.

Voting is open now through September 16th. Go out and vote!

About TexanPlus and Universal American:

TexanPlus, part of the Universal American family of healthcare companies, specializes in Medicare Advantage plans. The goal of our plans is to help our members stay active, live healthy and be independent. We are dedicated to working collaboratively with healthcare professionals in order to reduce healthcare costs and improve the health and well-being of those we serve.

For more information about TexanPlus and Universal American please visit our website at www.UniversalAmerican.com.

Y0067_LM_TPChmpVPR_0716 IA 07/28/2016