CEO of Access Community Health Network (ACCESS), Nov. 21, 1952-June 24, 2004
Clarence Michael Savage was a man of strong personal faith and a devout advocate of social justice. A community organizer, Mike's guiding principles led him in his management of community-based organizations and in his private life.
Savage died on Thursday, June 24, following a tragic, group rafting accident in Alaska. He was 51. Savage was attending a conference on behalf of ACCESS.
'Mike was dedicated to helping others,' said Rogelio Lopez, president, Access Community Health Network Board of Directors. 'He will be deeply missed by his colleagues, our patients and by everyone who had the benefit of knowing him.'
Mike served as the CEO of ACCESS since 1994. During his tenure, he led the organization through an unprecedented turnaround. ACCESS increased from nine to 41 health centers serving 160,000 patients annually, doubled its coverage area to 1,750 square miles, and increased its budget from $19 million to nearly $70 million.
His innovate approaches to community organizing for the working poor, uninsured and medically underserved, led to increased comprehensive health care services.
'The tragedy of Mike's death is profound,' said Dan Mukundan, MD, ACCESS' medical director. 'He had a gift for bringing diverse people together to make a difference, to address complicated problems, and to make a positive change.'
Savage was known as a champion for the rights of people marginalized in our society. He previously was executive director of Fenway Community Health Center in Boston. Mike also worked for Heartland Alliance Travelers & Immigrants Aid and United Neighborhood Organization of Near Southwest in Chicago.
A graduate of St. Louis University, Mike worked on behalf of lower-income neighborhoods in St. Louis and migrant farm workers across the country.
Mike was active in many organizations, including the Chicago chapter of Dignity USA, a national organization of gay and lesbian Roman Catholics; United Power for Action and Justice, a broad-based organization leveraging community groups and institutions for collective actions in the name of justice; and the National Healthy Start Association, which promotes programs to reduce infant mortality, low birth weight and racial disparities in child care.
Something about Mike struck those around him, said Donna Thompson, ACCESS' chief operating officer.
'His passion! I was like 'Oh, my gosh!' His passion for addressing the underserved. His passion for addressing social issues. And his likeability,' Thompson said, noting that he knew the names of most of ACCESS' 650 employees and frequently was in the know about how their families were getting along.
Savage is survived by his partner Andy Swan; his mother Maureen; sister and brother-in-law Cindy and Ed Osowski; brother and sister-in-law Chuck and Diane Savage; nephews Dan, Tim and Kevin Savage; and nieces Joan Savage, Kari and Anna Osowski. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Earl.
Visitation was July 1. To accommodate the vast number of people wishing to pay their respects, ACCESS will hold an additional memorial service from 1:30-3:30 p.m., Thursday, July 15, at Apostolic Church of God, 6320 S. Dorchester, Chicago.
Contributions should be made to the Mike Savage Memorial Fund for Uninsured Patients, c/o Access Community Health Network, 1501 S. California Ave., Chicago, 60608, www.accesscommunityhealth.net/donation.
