Medtronic
Receives Secretary Recognition Award
Citing its commitment
to the comprehensive and long-term employment of persons with disabilities,
the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services today gave Medtronic,
Inc. (NYSE: MDT) its highest award, the Secretary Recognition Award.
Art Collins, Medtronic
chairman and chief executive officer, accepted the award on behalf
of the company and noted, “People with
disabilities represent a significant, untapped talent pool for technology
and ‘knowledge’ industries. We recognize that everyone
benefits when we support an increasingly diverse workforce, and the
contributions of people with disabilities have helped Medtronic develop
leading medical technologies for patients worldwide. We accept this
honor with pride, but also with reinvigorated commitment to reaching
out to people with disabilities.”
The award was presented by Secretary Tommy Thompson in the building
named for another prominent Minnesotan and advocate for people with
disabilities, the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C.
Medtronic, which sponsored “Minnesota Career Development for
the 21st Century Day” for people with disabilities at its headquarters
last week, also has received the Distinguished Community Service
Award from ARC Minnesota (Oct. 9, 2004) and the “Employer of
the Year” award from the Minnesota State Council on Disability
(Sept. 30, 2004).
Joan Willshire, executive director of the State Council on Disability,
cited the involvement of Medtronic executives as most influential
in making the workplace supportive of people with disabilities.
Medtronic sponsored “Minnesota Career Development for the
21st Century Day” for people with disabilities at its headquarters
on October 20, 2004.
The day included presentations from 3M, American Express Financial,
Cargill, Fairview Health Services, The Federal Executive Board of
Minnesota, Medtronic, The Minnesota Department of Employment and
Economic Development, and Northwest Airlines. The participating students
then had an opportunity to hear from a panel of individuals with
disabilities employed at these corporations on their experiences
working for these organizations. In the afternoon, the participating
students were then able to speak to representatives from the participating
corporations to find mentoring opportunities or employment opportunities
that matched their experience.
