Voice of Conscience
award winners

2007

Employee Winners
Marty Castro, Vice President of External Affairs
Chicago, IL

Chris Snoberger, Underwriting Technical Lead
Arlington, TX

The Aetna Employee Voice of Conscience Award winners for 2007 were Marty Castro, and Chris Snoberger. Both honorees were cited for their exemplary humanitarian ideals, commitment to community service and extraordinary volunteer efforts. Marty spends much of his leisure time serving the less fortunate and has helped countless minority youths with social equity efforts. He chairs the boards of many Chicago based organizations, and also volunteers in various leadership roles for several others. Chris has similarly distinguished herself in part due to her role as chair of the Arlington Aetna Volunteer Council, one of the most active participating councils, and through her efforts as a tireless animal rights activist and 11-year Habitat for Humanity volunteer. Both extraordinary employees are powerful examples of individuals committed to making a difference.

2006

Employee Winner
Judith Lackey, Senior Project manager
Middletown, CT

Judith Lackey, Senior Project Manager, was selected as winner of the 2006 Voice of Conscience Employee Award. Inspired by her mother's battle with breast cancer, Judith has walked hundreds of miles, raised thousands of dollars, and sewn countless CUREchiefs, which serve as headwear for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Her infectious enthusiasm has inspired dozens of colleagues, friends, and family members to walk, solicit, and sew to raise money for cancer research. She is the compassionate engine behind an impressive array of charitable accomplishments. In 2002, she spearheaded the production and sale of a cookbook called “Tribute to Heroes,” which benefited victims of the 9/11 tragedy. As Chair of the Middletown Aetna Volunteer Council, the entity charged with organizing workplace volunteering, she increased membership from about 50 employees to more than 160. She organized a Hurricane Katrina-drive that collected over 1,200 items in three days. In addition, she manages more than four major volunteer events per year and regularly lends a hand to Meals on Wheels and other local charities.

2005 

National Winner
Rosalynn Carter
Former First Lady of the United States
Atlanta, GA

Rosalynn Carter has been an advocate for mental health, early childhood immunization, human rights and conflict resolution through her work at The Carter Center, which she founded with her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, in 1982. She has had a lifelong dedication to issues affecting women and children. In 1991, she and Mrs. Betty Bumpers, wife of former U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers, launched "Every Child by Two," a campaign to publicize the need for early childhood immunizations. She has focused much-needed attention on the plight of people suffering from mental illnesses and helped reduce the stigma that prevents many people from receiving proper care. Mrs. Carter was an active honorary chair of the President's Commission on Mental Health, which resulted in passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980.

Employee Winner
Alan Karpinski, Network Provider Services Consultant
Aetna, High Point, NC

Alan Karpinski, was recognized for his impressive contributions to the local Multiple Sclerosis Society's annual Tour to Tanglewood bike ride, as well as his extensive volunteer work for causes such as the Greensboro Human Race Walk, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Project Linus. In 2004, he persuaded 27 people, coworkers and non-employees - many of them just weekend riders -- to participate in the two-day, 90-mile event. "Team Aetna" raised over $27,000 and Alan was named captain of the year. Co-chairman of the High Point office Aetna Volunteer Council, he has participated in many other projects, including the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Triad Health Project, the Winter Walk for AIDS, Santa for Seniors and Support the Troops.

2004 

National Winner
David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
National Center for Primary Care, Morehouse School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA

Employee Winner
Ione James, Medical Claim Analyst
Aetna, Tampa, FL

2003

National Winner
Raul Yzaguirre, President
National Council of La Raza (NCLR)
Washington, D.C.

Employee Winner
Harry Hom, Systems Planner
Aetna, Middletown, CT

2002 

National Winner
Ambassador Andrew Young

Employee Award
Veronica Turner

2001 

National Winner
Valerie Beckles, M.D.

Employee Awards
West-Central Region Winner: Peggy Countryman.
Capitol Region Winner: Tammy Faulk.
Western Region Winner: Paula McGlasson.
Northeast Region Winner: Richard Mills.
Midwest Region Winner: Paul Rodrigues.
Mid-Atlantic Region Winner: Tim Tilson.

2000

Aetna Employee Arthur Chen, Senior Vice President
Central Taiwan Business Administration
Aetna Taiwan

Aetna Employee Dr. David Layland, Network Medical Director
Aetna Houston

1998

National Winner
Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Employee Award
Ruby Brown, Customer Service Professional
Aetna, Fresno, CA

1997 

Achiever
Richard E. Lapchick, Director
The Center for the Study of Sport in Society, Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Activist
Henry J. Fernandez, Founder and Executive Director
Leadership, Education and Athletics in Partnership, New Haven, CT

Aetna Achiever Maria F. McKeon, Counsel
Aetna Financial Services, Hartford

Aspirant
Dierdra A. Gray, Graduate Student
Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs
New York, NY

Breaking Barriers Award
Rachel Robinson

1996

Achiever
Oseola McCarty, Retired Laundress
Hattiesburg, MS

Activist
Roland F. Gutierrez, M.D., Director
HOPE Clinic, Philadelphia, PA

Aetna Achievers
Lynn M. Ragali, Systems Consultant
Bond Department, Property & Casualty Division
John E. Purcell, Systems Advisor
Claim Information Technology,
Property & Casualty Division
Aetna, Hartford, CT

Aspirant
Kobi Little, Founder and Chairman
Center for Leadership and Action, Baltimore, MD

1995

Achiever
Julius L. Chambers, Chancellor
North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC

Activist
Monsignor. William J. Linder, Founder
New Community Corp, Newark, NJ

Aetna Achiever
Peter J. Connell, Vice President and Senior Counsel
Federal Government Relations
Washington, D.C.

Aspirant
Marie-Louise Ramsdale, Executive Director
City Year Columbia, Columbia, SC

1994

Achiever
Alan C. Page, Associate Justice
Minnesota Supreme Court and President of Page Education Foundation
Minneapolis, MN

Activist
Wendy S. Kopp, President and Founder
Teach for America, New York, NY

Aetna Achiever
James G. Diller, M.D., Medical Director
Aetna Health Plans of Ohio
Toledo, OH

Aspirant
Neil I. Willenson, Director
Camp Heartland Project
Milwaukee, WI

If you would like more information about any of the Voice of Conscience winners, please e-mail the Aetna Foundation.