A 82 year old Galway City man, Vincent Browne from Renmore, Galway was honoured today (Friday February 19th) at a special ceremony held in Medtronic, Parkmore Galway – being one of 12 individuals across the world, and the first Irish person ever to receive the Bakken Award for ‘giving back’ of their time and talent for the betterment of others.
The Bakken Award is a legacy of Medtronic co-founder and humanitarian Earl Baken which connects and recognises people, who with the help of medical technology, are contributing in communities all around the world through charitable service and volunteerism. The Bakken award programme receives hundreds of nominations each year, culminating in the celebration of 10 Honorees from across the world who are recognised for their outstanding contributions.
Vincent Browne, a retired former employee of CIE Galway has had numerous cardiac health challenges in his life, including three heart attacks and being fitted with seven stents – yet for the past 18 years he has given enormously of his time and commitment to support our work as a Croi volunteer. His relentless and tireless commitment to support the work of Croi earned him a nomination for the Bakken Awards 2015 and was announced as one of 10 global winners at a special ceremony in Hawaii last month. For health reasons Vincent was unable to attend the ceremony in Hawaii, but today in Galway, Medtronic management & staff hosted a special ceremony at their Parkmore facility to honour Vincent and to present him which his award – the Bakken Medallion. A large number of Vincent’s family, relatives, friends and neighbours together with representatives from Croi and the Cardiology department at Galway University Hospital gave him a standing ovation as he received his award from Mr Jacob Gayle, Vice President, Medtronic Philantrophy.
Speaking at the ceremony, our CEO Neil Johnson said “this very significant honour for Vincent and his family is richly deserving – he is an outstanding volunteer who has overcome significant personal health challenges, yet through all of this he has shown exceptional commitment and dedication as a volunteer. He is a fine example of someone who appreciates the advances of modern medicine and who wants to give something back for the benefit of others”. Prof Kieran Daly, Consultant Cardiologist at Galway University Hospital who has been Vincent’s physician for many years recalled how “Vincent’s treatment and care mirrors the tremendous medical advances in cardiology that have taken place in Galway over the years, from the development of stent technology by companies like Medtronic, to hospital cardiology service advancement – much of which was supported by Croi and made possible through the voluntary fundraising efforts of people like Vincent Browne”