Voice of conscience award

The Aetna Voice of Conscience Award was established to honor the late Arthur R. Ashe, Jr. The tennis great served on the Aetna board of directors for over a decade. He was Chairman of the Aetna Foundation when he died in 1993.

The award has been our effort to honor this member of the Aetna family and to pay tribute to those who reflect the same ideals that he held.

The award recognizes Aetna employees and national figures who have distinguished themselves by their achievements in education, equality, advancing human rights and civic leadership.

Characteristics of award recipients include:

• Advancing human rights, opportunity and dignity
  
• Commitment to serve others, regardless of personal benefit
  
• Devotion to achieving humanitarian ideals
  
• Accomplishments in civil rights, education, health care and social equity
  
• Willingness to take risks for challenging causes
  
• Breaking boundaries across race, culture, class, faith and ethnicity

The Aetna Employee Voice of Conscience Award winner for 2008 was Marie Alfano.
A case management nurse consultant from Cranbury, N.J, She volunteers hundreds of hours a year to improve the lives of children. Marie has done everything from organizing toy drives to founding Children at Heart, Inc. This non profit is dedicated to making the dreams of children in need a reality.

Because of her boundless compassion and leadership, many who were otherwise lacking, now have the basics like electricity, clothing and medical equipment. Like Arthur Ashe, Marie is a powerful example of how one person can make a difference.