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Health Care Heroes
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The Central Penn Business Journal Health Care Hereos awards recognizes excellence, promotes innovation and honors the efforts of individuals and organizations making significant positive impacts on the quality of health care in the midstate.
Nomination Deadline: January 5, 2024
Application Deadline: January 19, 2024
Save The Date
April 9, 2024
Event agenda details coming soon.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and benefits please contact your account manager or email [email protected].
If you have questions about this awards event, please email [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nomination process and the steps to take?
Once the online nomination form is completed an automated email will be sent to the individual nominated (the email address entered in the “Nominee Email” field) and a submission receipt will be sent to the email placed in the “Nominator’s Email” field.
In order for the nominee to continue with the process they must fill out the application form by the application deadline listed in the automated email and on the corresponding event landing page.
We do also suggest that up to three letters of recommendation be sent to [email protected] by the application deadline to be included in the nominee’s judging packet as supporting materials. This is not a requirement, but an added benefit.
Can I save the nomination or application forms while I’m working on them?
Unfortunately, at this time you cannot, but we’re working to fix that. In the meantime, we suggest either filling out the forms on a separate sheet of paper and/Word Doc first or be prepared to spend some time in the form.
If I’m an honoree, do I need to purchase a ticket?
You do not need to purchase a ticket for yourself if you are an honoree. All other attendees must purchase a ticket. Please, note that all CPBJ events are limited attendance based on location. Honorees and sponsors are guaranteed tickets. Individual tickets will only go on sale if space is available after sponsorship deadlines.
What is included in sponsorship packages?
Sponsorship opportunities to include a table for your guests, multimedia marketing, logo usage and much more depending on the level your company selects. For more sponsorship information and benefits please contact your account manager or email [email protected].
Can I buy an ad in the publication?
Please contact Suzanne Fischer-Huettner to place an add or purchase a sponsorship package.
What are the different categories?
See below:
Acupuncture Specialist
This award honors individuals whose impeccable performance in acupuncture goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Advancement in Innovation and Health care
This honors an organization principally responsible for a scientific discovery or for the development of a new process, device or a service that can save or improve the quality of life for a large number of people.
Allied Health Hero
This honors a non-physician professional practicing in allied health who displays exemplary performance in his/her field and whose services benefit families in our local communities. Examples include: Physician Assistants, lab technicians, phlebotomists, chemotherapy technicians, CNAs, hospice workers, nutritionists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and radiology technicians.
Chiropractor
This award recognizes individuals whose impeccable performance in chiropractic care goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Community Outreach/Education Hero
This honors an individual or organization that reaches outside of their normal sphere of business to focus attention on a health care issue or to solve a community health problem.
Dental Specialist
This award honors dental specialists whose impeccable performance goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Eye Care Specialist
This award honors eye care specialists whose impeccable performance goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
First Responder Hero
This honors individuals such as the military, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters and police for their professional achievement and community involvement in their line of duty.
Lifetime Achievement Hero
This award is presented to one individual for his/her lifetime career of advancing the health care of our region through heroic acts, mentoring, compassion, honor and integrity.
Management
This award recognizes an individual who serves in a management role in a health care institution. This person should have made measurable positive contributions to his or her organization. Factors to be judged include evidence of measurable results as well as testimonials from peers and administrators.
Massage Therapist
This award recognizes individuals whose impeccable performance in massage therapy goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Mental Health Caregiver Hero
This honors an individual or organization that provides mental health support and counseling services to individuals and families in our local communities.
Nurse of the Year
This honors a nurse or nurse practitioner whose performance is considered exemplary by patients and doctors and provides a model of professionalism to peers.
Nurse Practitioner of the Year
This award honors a nurse practitioner who has performed in exemplary ways. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers, and patients.
Occupational Therapist
This award recognizes individuals whose impeccable performance in occupational therapy goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Physical Therapist
This award recognizes individuals whose impeccable performance in physical therapy goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Physician Assistant of the Year
This honors a physician assistant who displays exemplary performance in his/her field and whose services benefit in our local communities.
Physician of the Year
This honors a physician who displays exemplary performance in his/her field and whose services benefit in our local communities.
Senior Care Hero
This honors an individual or organization committed to advancing the health and wellness of senior citizens in our local communities.
Special Needs Hero
This honors an individual or organization invested in special needs care for adults and/or children and making a difference to families in our local communities.
Volunteer of the Year
This honors non-payroll individuals who reach out with time or skills to help patients or health care providers.
Workplace Wellness Program Hero
This honors an organization for a company-wide wellness program, healthy work environment, ergonomics program, or other health-related activities benefiting employees. This award recognizes individuals whose impeccable performance in massage therapy goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
2023 Honorees
Advancements innovation in Health Care
Penn State Health Children’s Hospital
Peyton Walker Foundation
Community Outreach Hero
Organizations
Andre Campbell RICP
Byrnes Health Education
JDRF Central PA Outreach Committee
WellSpan Health
Individuals
Dr. Klaudia Cwiekala-Lewis, York College of Pensylvania
Traci Jennings, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Meghan Zook, The Salvation Army Harrisburg
Covid 19 Hero
Olivia Embleton, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Srikanth Hosur, WellSpan Health
Lifetime Achievement
Bob Batory, WellSpan Health
Mental Health Hero
Terri Bowling, Highmark Caring Place
Melissa Brown, UPMC PinnacleHealth Psychological Associates
Lisa Zoll, Grief Relief, LLC
Nurse Hero
Tammy Bricker, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Daryl Lamancusa, UPMC Harrisburg
Jessica McClary, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Casey O’Donnell, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital
Physician Assistant of the Year
Constance Berk, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Physician Hero
R. Daniel Bledsoe, UPMC in Central Pa. and Community LifeTeam EMS
Stephen Flack, WellSpan Health
Hemal Gada, UPMC Central PA
Luis Garcia, Family First Health
Jessyka Lighthall, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Senior Care Hero
Kim Butler, Messiah Lifeways
Celeste Genovese, Hospice and Community Care
Special Needs Hero
Organizations
The Arc of Cumberland and Perry Counties Advocacy & Family Education Department
Clinic for Special Children
Individuals
Kristine Welsh-Eves, Wellspan Philhaven Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Volunteer Hero
Joyce McFadden, Hospice & Community Care
Workplace Wellness Program of the Year
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
2022 Honorees
Advancements in Innovation and Health Care
UPMC Central PA ICU lead team for CGM
Wellspan Health Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Allied Health Hero
Carla E. Pielmeier, WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital
Community Outreach
Dr. Oralia G. Dominic, Highmark, Inc.
Sadler Health Center Community Health Team
COVID -19 Hero
George M. Fernandez, Latino Connection
Asceline Go, M.D., Family First Health
Teri Jakob, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation
Amit M. Sharma M.D., M.P.H., Geisinger Clinic
Lifetime Achievement
John Porter Jr., WellSpan Health
Mental Health Hero
Zeeshan Faruqui M.D., Keystone Behavioral Health
Nurse Hero
Rayna Dormer, Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg
Physician Assistant of the Year
Sarah S. Sweigart PA-C, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center
Senior Care Hero
Jody Smith L.P.N, The Campus of the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg
2021 Honorees
Advancements in Innovation and Health Care
Smilebuilderz LLC
Health Care Specialties Hero
Music Therapists- Board Certified at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Donald Steely Jr. WellSpan Health York Cancer Center
Ashutosh Kumar, MD Penn State Health Children’s Hospital
Duane Williams, MD Penn State Children’s Hospital | Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Ron Coughlin, CNA The Campus of the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg, PA
Holly Gilmore, LPC, BCBA WellSpan Philhaven
Cristine Frantz WellSpan York Hospital
Community Outreach/Education Hero
Kelly Blechertas York County Coalition on Homelessness
Dr. Oralia G. Dominic, PhD, MS, MA Highmark Inc.
Ann Kunkel WellSpan Health
Hamilton Health Center
Penn State Health Children’s Hospital
COVID-19 Hero
Eugene Curley III, MD WellSpan Health
Rich Feczko Compass One Healthcare
Allison Polinski, MSN, RN, CIC Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center
Hamilton Health Center
Child Life Program – Penn State Children’s Hospital
Health Professional Hero
Anne Bizup, MSN, RN Central Penn College
Robert W. Callahan Jr. US Department of Veterans Affairs, Lebanon VA Medical Center
Mark Goedecker, MD WellSpan Health
Dr. Elena Guk, DDS, MS, FICOI, FAGD Cornerstone Dental Health
Jaime Bashore Long, MD Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Amber Stower, RN WellSpan Philhaven
Lifetime Achievement Hero
Robert C. Aber, MD, MACP Penn State Health
Cheston M. Berlin, MD Penn State Health Children’s Hospital
Mental Health Caregiver Hero
Michael Diller, PsyD WellSpan Health
Amy Eichelberger, LPN WellSpan Philhaven Behavioral Health
Hanni Snyder, RN WellSpan Philhaven
Jennifer Stoner, MA Penn State Health Children’s Hospital
Timothy S. Zeiger Psy.D., PLLC Timothy S. Zeiger Psy.D., PLLC
WellSpan Health/WellSpan Philhaven
Nurse Hero
Tracie Dawson, RN, M.Ed, BSN, CSN Derry Township School District/ Hershey Middle School
WGSH Nursing Team WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital
Elisha J. Peregino, CRNP Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Jill Savini, RN Lebanon Valley College
Lindsay Truong BSN, RN The Campus of the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg, PA
Physician Hero
Dr. Nicole Osevala, MD Penn State Health
Erika F. H. Saunders, MD Penn State Health
Dr. Raghav Tirupathi, MD FACP FIDSA Keystone Health
2020 Healthcare Heroes Honorees
Advancements in Innovation and Healthcare:
Alder Health Services
Highmark
WellSpan Health
Allied Health Hero:
Dr. Robert Blake of Blake Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center
Nikki Marhefka of Central Penn College
Javier Muniz of Wellspan Health
Community Outreach/Education Hero:
Central Penn Business Group on Health
Jeanne McClintick LNP, CHPLN of Hospice of Central PA
Adam Marden of Susquehanna Valley EMS
Leigh-Ann Reitze of UPMC
Health Professional Hero:
Ali Washabaugh of House of Hope
Jonathan Ortiz, DO of UPMC Pinnacle Carlisle
Brian SChuler, MD of WellSpan Cardiology
Mental Health Hero:
Marian Echevarria of WellSpan Health
Kenia Perez-Gonzalez of WellSpan Philhaven – Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Pediatrics Care Hero:
Johanna Vidal-Phelan, MD, MBA, FAAP of Hamilton Health Center
Aimee Friedrich of WellSpan York Hospital
Gabrielle Wallace of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Senior Care Hero:
Julie Hurley of The Campus of the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg
Katherine Szala of Visiting Angels
Special Needs Advocate:
Jeannette Magaro of Autism in Classrooms
Cheryl D. Tierney, MD of Penn State Pediatric Rehabilitation and Development
Therapeutic Care Hero:
Denisha Roberts of Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development
Volunteer Hero:
Brett Ernst, MD of Schein Ernst Mishra Eye
Women’s Health and Wellness Hero:
Lynne M. Hopfl RN, BSN, M.ED. of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Adriane Burgess of WellSpan York Hospital
Workplace Wellness Program of the Year:
County Commissioners Association of PA
Dickinson College
UTZ Quality Foods
Nurse of the Year:
Tara Gardner of Geisinger Holy Spirit
Tammie Treibley of WellSpan Ephrata Cancer Center
Kelly Trynosky DNP, RN, ACNP-BC of WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital – Center for Heart Care
Sarah Bosserman Matulewicz of WellSpan York Hospital
Physician of the Year:
Bolanle A Limann MD, MPH, MBA of Hamilton Health Center
Mark L. Simmons of Lancaster General Health/Penn Medicine
Patrick Moreno of Lancaster General Health/Penn Medicine
Amber Billet, MD, FACEP of WellSpan York Hospital
Lifetime Achievement Hero:
Thomas R. McGann M.D. of WellSpan Health
