Congratulations to all our finalists of the 2020 Health Care Heroes Awards.
Meet the 2020 Health Care Heroes finalists:
Lifetime Achievement:
- Dan Gottovi, Co-founder, Wilmington Health & Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
Community Achievement:
- Elizabeth Barnes, Co-founder and executive director, Hope Abounds Cancer Network Inc.
- Marissa Bryant Franks, Health equity outreach coordinator, New Hanover Regional Medical Center
- Desirae Hrynko, Marketing manager, Wilmington Health
Community Outreach:
- Joe Conway, Director of health equity and human experience, New Hanover Regional Medical Center
- TR Nunley, Program Coordinator, Wilmington Transgender Support Services
- Craig Wagner, Chief marketing and engagement officer, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
First Responder:
- Bethany Hart, Flight paramedic, NHRMC AirLink/VitalLink Critical Care Transport
- Jim Mistovich, Community paramedic, NHRMC EMS
Health Care Executive:
- Ryan Estes, Treatment operations director, Coastal Horizons Center Inc.
- David Schultz, Hospitalist and associate chief medical officer, Wilmington Health
- David Stanely, Executive director, Brunswick County Health and Human Services
Health Care Professional:
- Janet Axelson, Medical social worker, Well Care Health
- LuAnn Barwick, Respiratory Therapist, Dosher Memorial Hospital
- Nova Swanstrom, Therapist, Delta Behavioral Health
Innovation in Health Care:
- Andy Almeter, Manager of business operations, regional and specialty service, New Hanover Regional Medical Center
- Jeff James, CEO, Wilmington Health
- UNCW School of Nursing Faculty and Staff
Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant:
- Laura Quarino, Family nurse practitioner, Brunswick County Health Services
- Amanda Reynolds, Family nurse practitioner, Dosher Medical Urgent Care
- Rebecca Westendorf, Physician assistant, Cape Fear Heart Associates
Nurse:
- Rachael Baldwin, Lead communicable disease nurse, Brunswick County Health Services
- Jurley Torian, Registered nurse, account executive, Well Care Health
- Mitchell Watson, RN, New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Physician:
- Paul Kamitsuka, Infectious disease expert, Wilmington Health
- Rebecca Clare Lee, Physician, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
- Henry Patel, Electrophysiologist, Cape Fear Heart Associates
Volunteer:
- George Elam, Volunteer and president, New Hanover Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Board of Directors, NHRMC
- Lt. Constance Foreman, Physician and Navy Reserve officer, NHRMC Physician Group
- Dan Kopchick, Volunteer, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
The Greater Wilmington Business Journal's Health Care Heroes Awards honors individuals and organizations that are making an impact on the quality of health care in Wilmington.
Whether they are companies, doctors, nurses, specialists or managers, join us in recognizing those who embody the word “hero” and prove their excellence in helping others.
With this year’s pandemic, we need your help to recognize the dedication and achievements of our local health care community.
Anyone who works or volunteers with health care in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Columbus counties is eligible for the awards.
Have questions? Email Maggi Apel at
[email protected].
Health Care Heroes - Award Categories
Lifetime Achievement — Honors an individual for achievements throughout his or her career. Judges will consider the individual's professional accomplishments, impact on the community and assistance they gave to others.
Community Achievement — Honors an individual or team who successfully implemented a program addressing a problem in health care administration or delivery. Judges will consider its uniqueness, cost-effectiveness and impact on the community.
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. Judges will consider the community impact of the outreach.
Innovation in Health Care — Honors an individual or team behind a new scientific discovery, procedure, treatment or device that can save lives or improve the quality of life for a large number of people. Judges will consider the current and potential impact of the innovation.
Health Care Executive — Honors an individual whose job performance is considered exemplary by people within their organizations, peers and community members. Judges will consider their impact on their organization and the community and relevant testimonials.
Health Care Professional — Honors any health care provider other than physicians or nurse (such as physical therapists, chiropractors, certified nursing aides, researchers and others) whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers. Judges will consider evidence of positive clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and relevant testimonials.
Physician — Honors a physician whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers. Judges will consider evidence of positive clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and relevant testimonials.
Nurse — Honors a nurse whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers. Judges will consider evidence of positive clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and relevant testimonials.
Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant — Honors a nurse practitioner or physician assistant whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers.
First Responder — Honors a first responder whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers. Judges will consider evidence of positive clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and relevant testimonials.
Volunteer — Honors a volunteer at a health care provider or other health-related organization who is considered exemplary by people within those organizations. Judges will consider their impact on health care delivery and how their involvement has made a significant difference.
