Press Releases: 2003 Releases

Anita Porco Named Chairwoman of UCP’s National Board of Trustees

Porco Becomes Second Woman in UCP’s History to Lead Its Efforts to Advocate for and Promote the Independence of People with Disabilities

Washington, DC, June 16, 2003—United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Inc. (UCP) announced today that Anita Porco has been elected Chairwoman of the national Board of Trustees, effective immediately. Porco is the second woman to lead the UCP Board in its 50+ year history and first woman in the past 25 years; she replaces E. Hal Nolan, President of the Board for the past two years, who will remain involved with the organization as a Trustee.

Porco brings over 20 years of healthcare and business experience to UCP, the premier organization in the country for persons with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. In 1982, she founded Nurses Today, Inc., and currently serves as CEO at the Dallas-based company. At Nurses Today, Porco has assisted the elderly and their caregivers to maintain their independence through in-home services. Nurses Today also specializes in providing health care personnel to medical facilities on a temporary basis and allied health personnel to its clients for private duty care and for home health care visits.

“Anita has a passion for healthcare and years of business experience directly related to helping people in need of care, and their caregivers,” said Steve Bennett, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy. “Her years of successful professional experience and her vision for the organization, will place UCP in a strong position to support its affiliates to grow and produce the innovative programs that will continue to impact the disability community nationwide.”

“UCP’s management, staff, volunteers, and network of affiliates have been in leadership positions of helping people with disabilities for over 50 years,” said Porco. “Healthcare has been my life-long passion and I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to lead one of America’s premier charitable organizations. UCP has always been efficient with its spending and is deeply indebted to its long term support from corporate sponsors. I am looking forward to UCP adding to its affiliate base so that we can assist more people with disabilities and to promote a vision of people with disabilities experiencing life without limitations.

In addition to operating Nurses Today, Porco is actively involved in numerous national and Dallas-based associations including: National Association of Women Business Owners; Executive Women of Dallas; City of Irving Board of Health; North Texas Women’s Business Council; Dallas Summer Musicals Executive Committee; The DFW Health Industry Council; and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

About UCP
UCP’s mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. UCP is a leading source of information on cerebral palsy and an advocate for individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers and providers of essential programs and services. The UCP Research and Educational Foundation provides seed money to fund research for the support of pilot studies in biomedical, behavioral and bioengineering research.

UCP is comprised of 105 affiliates in 37 states who offer a broad array of programs and services for people with disabilities, such as employment services, early intervention programs, assistive technology training, individual and family support, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, employment assistance, and advocacy. 65% of the consumers served by UCP affiliates have disabilities other than cerebral palsy. UCP is one of the nation’s most efficient charities, with a system wide average of 85% of all revenues going to programs and services.

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