Ellen Harvey and Dr. Bob Murphy are the recipients of the January Davies Humanitarian Award for “outstanding contribution both inside and outside of the harness racing world.” The award is named in honour of the young harness racing worker and USHWAn who was impressing with her enthusiasm and knowledge before tragically passing at a far-too-young age.
Ellen Harvey and Dr. Bob Murphy, who are based in Aiken, South Carolina, participate in the Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinical programs, numbering some 20 “pop-up” clinics at this point. RAM, a non-profit based in Tennessee but servicing most of North America, brings quality healthcare to those in need, the uninsured and underinsured – services from general medicine to vision, dental and even pet animal care. They have improved the lives of over 900,000 individuals since being established in 1985.
Harvey, also a former USHWAn and the head of Harness Racing Communications, was noted for her concern for racehorses after their racing careers, and continues in that role to this day.
“I am so glad Ellen and Bob have been named this year’s January Davies Humanitarian Award winners,” said Callie Davies-Gooch, January’s mother and the award’s originator and administrator. “They do so much for people who otherwise would not attend clinics by bringing the clinics to them, and they never ask to be recognized for their generosity of spirit.”
In fact, Harvey specified that any money to be spent for a trophy be donated to RAM.
The connection between Harvey and Davies-Gooch, reflecting Harvey’s generosity of spirit, dates back even further, in a very deep way: “After January’s death in 2007, Ellen went with me every other week to grief counseling meetings.”
Ellen Harvey and Bob Murphy will be recognized at the 2023 Dan Patch Awards Banquet, presented by Caesars Entertainment, which will honour the best of the best of harness racing, both human and equine. The evening culminates with the announcement of the E. Roland Harriman Harness Horse of the Year and will take place on Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.
(United States Harness Writers Association)