The African American Achievers Youth Corps, organizers of the Kings of Gospel concert, recently announced the selection of the 2018 Gary Greats. The three honorees will be recognized at the concert on October 13 at the Glen Theater in Gary. The recipients are Dr. Michael McGee, Dr. Reuben Rutland, and Councilwoman Mary Brown.
Well known throughout Northwest Indiana for their community outreach initiatives, Gary native McGee is an Emergency Medicine physician at Methodist Hospitals; Rutland is a Trauma Surgeon at Methodist Hospitals. The two are co-founders of the Project Outreach and Prevention on Youth Violence (POP) Foundation.
The Foundation’s programs focus on youth violence prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles and positive behaviors. Additional programs address the needs of the homeless, and low-income veterans. During an initiative last winter POP distributed warm winter coats, hats, and gloves to several dozen veterans in partnership with Methodist Hospitals.
Rutland noted that POP’s highly successful programs generate “a great interest” among students, and youth in general.
A Democrat representing the 3rd District, Mary Brown has been a member of the Gary Common Council since 1999. She formerly worked with the Gary Sanitary District for almost two decades as well. “Councilwoman Brown has for many years served the city with distinction,” said Mayor Freeman-Wilson.
Gary Greats is an awards program started in 2013. The program recognizes Gary citizens doing good things in the community.
