Frater Bruce Melchert Honored With Partnership for Action Grassroots Champion Award

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Partnership for Action Grassroots Champion Award was given to Frater Bruce Melchert of Beta-Theta Chapter (University of Missouri-Columbia) at a recent ceremony of the American Hospital Association in Washington D.C. The award was created to recognize those hospital leaders who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital's vital role in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital, and is a tireless advocate for the hospital and its patients.

Throughout his career, Frater Bruce Melchert worked with a variety of people and organizations and was well-respected for his ability to engage his colleagues in the political process. After 20 years of service with Clarian Health Partners in Indianapolis, Mr. Melchert retired as vice president of government affairs on August 31, 2006. He had been in the spotlight of Indiana politics for more than three decades, rallying grassroots support on behalf of health care, his city and his party.

At Clarian, Mr. Melchert worked tirelessly to build broad-based support for appropriate funding for Medicare and Medicaid to Hoosiers in need. Working closely with the Indiana congressional delegation, Mr. Melchert helped secure funding for the 2003 opening of the Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center at Riley Hospital for Children. Similarly, his efforts contributed to the continuous federal funding of HealthNet, a network of community health centers providing health services and outreach to residents who otherwise lack access to care.

"Your leadership and dedication to promoting the mission of hospitals has added a strong voice on a local and national level," said Rich Umbdenstock, president, American Hospital Association. "The compassion and hard work you have demonstrated has made a difference for your patients and your community and has earned you this special recognition."

Prior to Frater Melchert's efforts in state government affairs, he was a member of the TKE Professional Staff for 15 years. In March of 1957, Frater Melchert helped establish the Canadian Alpha Affiliate at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. For his work in establishing this colony, Grand Prytanis James Logan named Frater Melchert a TKE International Founder. He also was given the Order of the Silver Maple Leaf for exemplifying the ideals of Tau Kappa Epsilon through his efforts with the Canadian chapters, and promoted the causes of International understanding and brotherhood within and outside of the Fraternity. In 1960, Frater Melchert became Executive Director, and the fraternity office, or International Headquarters as it is appropriately known, was moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, the following year. The International Headquarters building in Indianapolis contains the offices of the Executive Director, the administrative staff, and the files, records, and equipment of the Fraternity. Frater Melchert was also instrumental in the first fraternal film called The Fraternity For Life. The TKE public relations and rush film premiered at the Toronto Conclave. It was the first fraternity film produced by Hollywood professionals, and featured undergraduates from Kansas, Missouri, and California, with alumni Ronald Reagan and Stan Kenton, in a 15-minute color and sound film. In 1972, he was awarded the Grand Prytanis Award. In 1977, he was elected as Grand Grammateus, serving the fraternity in that capacity until 1985 when he became Grand Epiprytanis. In 1987, he assumed the role of Grand Prytanis serving in that role for one term. In 1993, Frater Melchert was given the Order of the Golden Eagle, the highest award in TKE, for his dedicated service and devotion to the fraternity.

The Offices of the Grand Chapter extend heartfelt congratulations to Frater Melchert.

Adapted from American Hospital Association Press Release. If you would like to see your chapter news here, contact Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.