Social Responsibility Award

Masa Layer, QA Director at Sage receives the Social Responsibility Award from ASQ Section 1212 President, Jim Schlichting. -Photo Adela Crandell Durkee

Masa Layer, QA Director at Sage receives the Social Responsibility Award from ASQ Section 1212 President, Jim Schlichting. -Photo Adela Crandell Durkee

The American Society for Quality (Section 1212) awarded Sage Products, Inc. the Social Responsibility Award on December 18, 2014. Sage consecutively won Best Place to Work in the small business category for its commitment to employee satisfaction. In 2009, Sage ranked fifth in Best Places to Work in Healthcare. Sage is recognized as “Best of Fox” in two categories, ‘Philanthropy’ and ‘Company over 40 Employees.’ Sage ensures that family and community are part of their business approach, making their employees’ wellbeing a priority with benefits including an on-site fitness center and free annual health screenings for employees, their spouses, and company retirees. Sage is a highly regarded and active member of the community, giving to and volunteering for countless endeavors in the greater Chicago area.
Sage started as a medical device manufacturer and leveraged FDA regulated expertise to produce cosmetics, over-the-counter drugs and pharmaceuticals for the entire care continuum, domestically and internationally.

This past year Sage is best known for its contribution in the expansion and renovation of the Sage YMCA. The company is a sponsor of Centegra Health System’s Youth Screening Program. The donation from Sage Products will support Centegra’s effort to provide screening at minimal cost to area families.

“Sage Products is proud to support this important program, which will care for many of our employees’ children and family members,” said Scott Brown, president and chief executive officer at Sage Products. “Centegra’s program helps parents understand the risks associated with concussions and cardiac issues. Centegra is teaching parents and coaches that effective and timely treatment is essential to keeping our teens safe.”

Sage is a sponsor of Voices in Harmony, a local nonprofit choral group. Sage is also a patron of NISRA, a special needs recreation program, and has helped build accessible park equipment and provided the Sage Therapeutic Recreation Center at the NISRA offices where special needs clients participate in fine arts programs and learn social skills. The Centegra Sage Cancer Center provides cancer treatment and symptom support, as well as an on-site pharmacy.

Sage is also a sponsor of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, CASA, Sparrows Nest, Journey Care, Girls on the Run, Turning Point, andJourneyCare.

Founder, Vince Foglia, has a straightforward attitude toward philanthropy. “I like doing it. I like the way it feels. I know I am helping humanity in a very direct way.”
Masa Layer, Quality Assurance Director, accepted the Social Responsibility Award on behalf of Sage Products at the December 18 ASQ dinner meeting.