Here are the finalists in the 2016 Health Care Heroes Volunteer category.

Honors a volunteer at a health care provider or other health-related organization who is considered exemplary by people within those organizations.
 

Albert Bozart

TITLE: Dentist

ORGANIZATION: Bozart Family Dentistry

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Every year around Christmas for the past three years he’s done a $100,000 ‘Smile Makeover’ contest, where he will offer complete smile makeovers (up to $10,000 value per person) to 10 winners based on need, their stories and nominations from friends and family members.

The first year was only supposed to be a $10,000 prize with one winner, but because the stories were so touching he couldn’t choose just one winner from the 10 finalists, so he chose them all and it became the $100,000 ‘Holiday Smile Makeover’ contest versus just $10,000.

Dr. Bozart is a genuinely giving person who truly cares about people above the dollar bill. On top of the annual Holiday Smile Makeover giveaway, Dr. Bozart also began an in-house 0% interest fnancing program years ago with the intention of being able to open up quality and affordable oral health care to the majority of people in the community who don’t have access to dental insurance.

On top of all of this, Dr. Bozart is also very involved, although quietly, in many local community causes of which he volunteers both his money and spare time, even after being open six days a week with his practice.”

-Mike Jankowski, patient
 

Wendy Knapp

TITLE: Purchasing coordinator

ORGANIZATION: Wilmington Health

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Wendy is a tireless advocate for breast cancer awareness, both at Wilmington Health and in the community.

As a survivor, she brings her passion for making a difference. She was one of the reasons Wilmington Health fought so hard to bring the Komen race to our community.

We saw the benefits of having the race here (raising awareness, increasing local grant availability) and recognized our hero employees – five of them – Wendy being the leader. We did it for them and the future individuals in our community that would be impacted by this terrible disease.

She has headed up the Survivor Walk for the Komen race for several years. She even ran the entire event for Wilmington Health last year.

Seeing her bring our educational pieces to life was amazing. She truly makes a difference! And she makes it a family affair – her daughter Samantha and son Justin are both required to give just as much as their mother. All can be found wearing pink and educating others about the importance of preventative care.”

-Alysa Bostick, Wilmington Health
 

Peter Kramer

TITLE: Physician

ORGANIZATION: NHRMC Physician Group-Wrightsville Beach Family Medicine

BACKGROUND: Peter Kramer attended medical school at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Maine, and graduated in 1998. He attended residency at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, with a focus on family medicine, and currently practices at NHRMC Physician Group-Wrightsville Beach Family Medicine.

Kramer also has served on mission teams responding to victims of Hurricane Katrina and on two trips to Haiti after the earthquake in 2010 devestated the country. Kramer, who currently serves on medical and safety team for his church, also has traveled to Sierra Leone to help restore medical services after civil war there.

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Dr. Kramer is an excellent physician who truly cares about his patients needs and well-being, always taking the time to make sure those needs are defined, understood and being met.

He has long been active in his church, community and volunteering – most notably serving disaster victims, armed forces, frst responders and veterans, especially fitting on the 15th anniversary of 9/11.”

-Michael White, patient