Nearly 50 workers, organizations and businesses were honored this morning at the inaugural Healthcare Heroes awards breakfast and ceremony at DeSales University Center in Center Valley.
More than 300 people attended the event in which 10 Healthcare Heroes were named from the 47 finalists. The heroes and finalists were recognized for their significant impact on the quality of health care in the Greater Lehigh Valley.
An independent panel judged the entrants, and its voting determined the finalists and heroes. Lehigh Valley Business hosted the program.
The Volunteer of the Year, Margaret Teitsworth of Phoebe Allentown, received a standing ovation at the ceremony. She has volunteered at the senior center for 14 years, interacting with residents who are approaching death.
“I think this event really highlights the special people and groups that work to transform the health care system,” said Thomas Croyle, president of the Lehigh Valley Business Coalition on Healthcare, and one of the judges. “I am glad to be a part of it.”
The other judges were Ann Wlazelek, a retired health care writer for The Morning Call newspaper, and Lori McFerran, a copywriter for Universal Health Services.
The winners and finalists:
CORPORATE ACHIEVEMENT HERO
Hero: East Penn Manufacturing Co. Finalists: LSI Corp., Moravian Village of Bethlehem, Sealstrip Corp., Victaulic.
EDUCATION HERO
Hero: Judith Rex. Finalists: Eva Grayzel, Kathleen Halkins, Janine Reppert, Dr. Joel Rosenfeld, Jen Sinclair.
EDUCATION HERO – ORGANIZATION
Hero: Lehigh Valley Hospital AIDS Activities Office. Finalists: Cetronia Ambulance Corps, Kellyn Foundation, Phoebe Institute on Aging, Two Rivers Health & Wellness Foundation, Valley Preferred-BeneFIT Corporate Wellness.
INNOVATION HERO
Hero: LifeAire Systems. Finalists: Dr. Jonathan Goldner, Health Network Laboratories, Lehigh Valley Health Network-Flu Crew, St. Luke’s University Health Network.
NURSE OF THE YEAR
Winner: Kimberly Bartman. Finalists: Amy Klaus, Lisa Knaak, Mary Toole-Bisco.
NURSING HOME/ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY OF THE YEAR
Winner: Fellowship Community. Finalists: Cedarbrook Nursing Home, Phoebe Allentown.
PHYSICAL THERAPY/ REHABILITATION CENTER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. Finalists: Advent Speech and Feeding Therapy, Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s, Smolczynski Physical Therapy Associates.
PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Winner: Dr. Bonnie Coyle. Finalists: Dr. Paula Bordelon, Dr. Wayne Dubov, Dr. Eric Gertner, Dr. Joseph B. Lennert, Dr. Wayne Luchetti, Dr. Robert Motley.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Margaret Teitsworth. Finalists: Donna Baver Rovito, Kathy Moyer, Edward Muschlitz.
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS HERO
Hero: Dr. Vincent Lucente. Finalists: Kelly Powell, YWCA of Bethlehem.
