Here are the winners in the 2013 Health Care Heroes Community Outreach category.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH-Honors an individual or team who successfully communicated to the community about a significant health issue, including new treatments and best practices, health threats and other community education initiatives.

Communications and Outreach Team
TITLE: Communications and outreach team
ORGANIZATION: Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “The communications and outreach team has successfully implemented a program, Begin The Conversation, into each of our six service areas. This program addresses advance care planning and has touched over 2 million individuals in our community, our state as well as national.
Each member of the communications and outreach team has contributed time, energy and passion in our efforts to change how individuals face End-Of-Life in our community.”
– Kimberly Paul, Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter vice president of communications and outreach

David Glendenning
TITLE: EMS education coordinator
ORGANIZATION: New Hanover Regional Medical Center
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “When an adult has a sudden cardiac arrest, his or her chances of survival greatly increase if someone nearby can immediately perform CPR. Unfortunately, fewer than 1/3 of those people who experience a cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public location get that help.
[Glendenning] set out to change that.
Through determination and a passion to save lives, this health care hero has managed, in just 16 months, to train more than 6,000 area residents in the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR.
This nominee goes to businesses and community events to reach as many people as he can … It is safe to say his efforts have directly made the difference between life and death for members of our community.
… In addition to his dedication and commitment to patient care, [Glendenning] brings exceptional expertise and enthusiasm to every aspect of his job, delivering patient care with compassion and engaging the community in educational initiatives that can save lives.”
– Erin Balzotti, New Hanover Regional Medical Center media relations coordinator

Joy Wade
TITLE: Program manager, southeastern North Carolina
ORGANIZATION: Pretty in Pink Foundation
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Pretty in Pink Foundation, a N.C. 501(c)3 who provides financial and support services for those diagnosed with breast cancer and who are uninsured, opened their first regional office for southeastern N.C. in August 2011 under the leadership of Joy Wade. Over the past two years, Joy has worked to provide an unmatched level of commitment to those needing life-saving treatments in our area.
… Since opening the regional PIPF office, Joy has worked to raise over $250,000, all of which has remained in our community to reach the needs of champions. Without this financial assistance, at least 35 champions would not have received their life-saving treatments.”
– Penny Lauricella, Pretty in Pink Foundation executive director