The Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s 2016 Health Care Heroes awards program honors individuals and organizers that are making a significant impact on the quality of health care in the Wilmington area.

A panel of judges reviewed nominations submitted from the community to decide the three finalists in each of 10 categories and ultimately the winners.

The Health Care Heroes awards will be handed out at an event Nov.  12. (Click here for event and ticket information.)

At the event, a Lifetime Achievement award also will be given to retired pediatrician Henry Hawthorne. Click here for more about Hawthorne's contributions to the area's health care industry.

Here are this year's Health Care Heroes finalists:

Health Care Heroes: Community Achievement

Robin Hicken, Co-founder of Meagan & Austin’s Continued Journey
Chip Munna, SERAC regional trauma coordinator at NHRMC
Antonio Puente, Clinical neuropsychologist at Clinical Neuropsychology
Click here for more info about their work.

Health Care Heroes: Community Outreach

Hunter Crumpton, Physician access liaison for NHRMC
Dan Johnson, UNCW associate professor in recreation therapy
Laura Kellogg, Registered nurse at The Kellogg’s Care Asthma Advocacy
Click here for more info about their work.

Health Care Heroes: First Responder

Mitch Cunningham, Deputy chief of the Wilmington Police Department’s Investigative Bureau
Joseph Lopez, Master firefighter at the Wilmington Fire Department
Sarah Rivenbark, Community paramedic at NHRMC
Click here for more info about their work.

Health Care Heroes: Health Care Executive

Stephen Debiasi, CEO of OrthoWilmington (now EmergeOrtho)
Ruth Glaser, President of Pender Memorial Hospital
Mark Tillotson, Coastal market medical group leader at Novant Health
Click here for more info about their work.

Health Care Heroes: Health Care Professional

Deonta Clark, Patient transport at NHRMC
Mary Rudyk, Physician at Senior Health Center
Kelly Wells, Certified registered nurse anesthetist at NHRMC
Click here for more info about their work.

Health Care Heroes: Innovation

Angie Barr, Administrator for The Davis Community
David Smith, Pediatric intensivist at Coastal Children’s Services
Deborah Stokes, Mobile simulation program manager for Coastal Carolinas Health Alliance
Click here for more info about their work.

Health Care Heroes: Nurse

Johnsie Davis, Director of patient safety at NHRMC
Cindy Edgell, Director of nursing for The Davis Community
Stephanie Herron, Manager of clinical improvement at Novant Health
Click here for more info about their work.

Health Care Heroes: Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant

Virginia Czimber, Family nurse practitioner at Novant Health Family & Internal Medicine South Brunswick
Mary Beth Koehler, Child medical examiner provider for The Carousel Center Inc.
Patti Lee, Advanced nurse practitioner at Southeastern Nephrology Associates
Click here for more info about their work.

Health Care Heroes: Physician

Seaborne Blair III, Family medicine physician at Island Family Medicine
William McNulty, Medical oncologist with NHRMC Physician Group-Cape Fear Cancer Specialists
Radha Putcha, Medical director/Hospice and palliative care physician for Lower Cape Fear Hospice
Click here for more info about their work.

Health Care Heroes: Volunteer

Albert Bozart, Dentist at Bozart Family Dentistry
Wendy Knapp, Purchasing coordinator for Wilmington Health
Peter Kramer, Physician with NHRMC Physician Group-Wrightsville Beach Family Medicine
Click here for more info about their work.