Nearly 300 people turned out at the Sheraton in Springfield on Oct. 17 to honor the third class of Healthcare Heroes, a recognition program launched by BusinessWest and its sister publication, HCN, to recognize those standing out in the health and wellness field. Here, the eight honorees gather with representatives of the event’s sponsors prior to the ceremonies. The Healthcare Heroes gala featured networking, fine food, and poignant comments from each of the honorees. The video and pictures below tell the story.
Above, from left: Lee Kirk, administrator for Shriners Hospital for Children, winner in the Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider category; Sue West, senior vice president at Behavioral Health Network; Kim Kenney-Rockwal, director of the MBA program with event sponsor Elms College; Jessica Dupont, director of Risk Adjustment for event presenting sponsor Health New England; Nancy Davis, director of Graduate and Continuing Education for Elms College; Lisa Graham, president of Design to Finish, an event sponsor; Emily Uguccioni, executive director of Linda Manor Assisted Living, winner in the Health/Wellness Administrator/Administration category; David Graham, vice president of Design to Finish; Katherine Wilson, president and CEO of Behavioral Health Network, winner in the Lifetime Achievement category; Amy Walker, certified nurse midwife, Cooley Dickinson Healthcare, winner in the Community Care Category; Carol Constant, convener, Dementia Friendly Western Massachusetts, and director of Community Engagement at Loomis Communities, winner in the Collaboration in Health/Wellness category; Tara Ferrante, program director of the Holyoke Outpatient Clinic of ServiceNet, winner in the Emerging Leader category; Cristina Huebner Torres, Ph.D., vice president of Research & Population Health at Caring Health Center, winner in the Innovation in Health/Wellness category; Frank Robinson, Ph.D., vice president of Public Health at Baystate Health, winner in the Lifetime Achievement category; Mark Keroack, president and CEO of presenting sponsor Baystate Health; Karen Rousseau, dean and professor, School of Health Sciences at presenting sponsor American International College; Penny Moos, financial administrator with Development Associates, an event sponsor; Mark Cress, a partner with the law firm Bulkley Richardson, an event sponsor; Joey Swain, office administrator, Development Associates; Michele Sullivan; Peter Barry, a partner with Bulkley Richardson; Ken Vincunas, president, Development Associates; Ryan Barry, an associate with Bulkley Richardson; and Travis Ward, operations manager with Development Associates.
