India Post News BureauCHICAGO: Naren Patel, President and CEO of Medstar Laboratory was crowned with yet another laurel as Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White recognized him with 2008 Humanitarian Service Award. The award extols his contributions to the welfare of the Asian Pacific American Community including the Americans from the South Asian descent, viz. Indians, Pakistani and Nepalese communities of Illinois.

The presentation ceremony was held during a reception celebrating the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month last week at James R. Thompson Bldg. concourse in downtown Chicago.Secretary of State Jesse White commended Naren Patel for his nearly 30 years of service to provide better healthcare for children and the Asian Pacific American Community.

He noted his helping hands extending from building homes for the victims of Tsunami to facilitating access to health insurance for Illinois Children. “Naren Patel is an inspiration to many and I am proud to present him with the 2008 Humanitarian Services Award,” he said.A patron of all causes supporting educational, health, cultural and humanitarian services he is among a very visible few in the community who stood by the community as he succeeded in his business.

As the founder of Medstar he helps the newly arriving immigrants to find employment and health insurance benefits.He was the president of Care & Share USA International .During the Tsunami Disaster under his leadership Care & Share had built 50 houses for help the victims. He was also instrumental in building a school for blind in Kerala, homes for victims of 2001 Gujarat Earthquake.

Recently he was elected as the President of the Association for Indians in America (AIA).It is also appropriate to mention many more Indian American Community members always stood by the people and institutions in times of need.

Along with Naren Patel, the recognition was also accorded to Bina Patel while Vandana Dalal, Ranjit Ganguly, Ram Gajjela, MD, Perm Lalvani, Kanti Patel Kishore Purohit, Keerthi Ravoori, Haider Mohammad, MD and Iftekhar Shareef were appointed to the Asian Pacific American Advisory Council 2008. All these distinguished men and women were honored by Secretary State Jesse White.