Senator Ben Cardin Lauds IMA for Efficiency, Making a Difference

September 8, 2010

by Emily Esworthy/IMA

IMA World Health was honored to welcome Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) as he traded the bustle of Capitol Hill for a visit to IMA's headquarters in the quiet rolling farmlands of New Windsor, Maryland.

Senator Cardin spent the afternoon meeting the IMA staff, learning more about IMA's vital programs and touring the warehouse, where a massive shipment of medical supplies had been packaged and sent to Haiti just a few days prior. Cardin called the unique partnership between IMA and its partner organizations, corporate partners and volunteers "impressive" and praised the efficiency and collaborative approach of IMA's operations.

At the lunch reception, Cardin thanked the IMA staff for their dedication to making the world a better, safer place. "I am a firm believer that we all have a humanitarian responsibility," he said. "You are all making a huge difference. Children are going to grow up and achieve a dream that they would not otherwise have, were it not for you."

In turn, IMA expressed its deep gratitude to Senator Cardin, whose office made calls and joined the urgent effort to locate the three IMA staff members who were trapped in the rubble of the Hotel Montana after the January 2010 earthquake in Port au Prince, Haiti. IMA President and CEO Rick Santos, one of the earthquake survivors, presented Senator Cardin with a framed letter and plaque as a token of appreciation for his assistance in the rescue as well as his ongoing support for IMA's work in Haiti and around the world.

Accepting the plaque, Cardin noted that it will hang in his office as "a constant reminder that we've got more work to do" in meeting the essential health care needs and building the capacity of developing countries.

"Together," he encouraged, "we're going to succeed."