Business

These champions contribute to Manatee County’s well-being through service, commitment to excellence

By Jacki Dezelski

Special to the Herald
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual Champions of Healthcare, announced last week at an awards breakfast at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch, include, first row, left to right: Dr. Ashok Krishnamurthy, Mary Ruiz, Arika Manapat and Mary Ann Legler. Second row, from left: Kobee Masiello, Dr. Jennifer McCullen, Sally Mathews, Mark Gardner, accepting for Dr. Arthur Valadie, and Dr. Allessandro Golino. Third row, from left: Angie Hadlock, Earl Kulpa, Calen MacDonald, Carol Whitmore, Victoria Reinhartz and James Crutchfield.
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual Champions of Healthcare, announced last week at an awards breakfast at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch, include, first row, left to right: Dr. Ashok Krishnamurthy, Mary Ruiz, Arika Manapat and Mary Ann Legler. Second row, from left: Kobee Masiello, Dr. Jennifer McCullen, Sally Mathews, Mark Gardner, accepting for Dr. Arthur Valadie, and Dr. Allessandro Golino. Third row, from left: Angie Hadlock, Earl Kulpa, Calen MacDonald, Carol Whitmore, Victoria Reinhartz and James Crutchfield. Richard Dymond rdymond@bradenton.com

Champion.

It’s a word that often brings sports heroes to mind, but last week our community celebrated champions from a different type of playing field. The Manatee Chamber of Commerce, through nominations gathered from across our community, honored 10 “Champions of Healthcare” at our fifth annual awards event.

The people, programs, businesses and organizations recognized are all contributing to the well-being of Manatee County through their generous service and commitment to excellence. The health of a community is one of the most important factors of its quality of life. And, our healthcare industry supports a large workforce in our local economy.

We received almost 70 nominations this year. Some nominees improve access to healthcare services, some conserve resources to lower healthcare costs, some give countless hours of their time as volunteers, and many give voice to issues important to the well-being of our entire community.

All work to make our healthcare system stronger.

Congratulations to our 2017 Champions of Healthcare:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary Ruiz
  • Youth Volunteer Award: Calen MacDonald, Southeast High School
  • Community Impact Award: Congressman Vern Buchanan
  • Individual of Merit: Commissioner Carol Whitmore, RN, Manatee County Government and Florida Home Health
  • Physician Award: Dr. Jennifer McCullen, OB/GYN Women’s Center
  • Nurse Award: Mary Ann Legler, MSN, MA, ARNP, BC, School District of Manatee County
  • Allied Health Professional Award: Kobee Masiello, Manatee Diagnostic Center
  • Institution and Program Award: The Community Paramedic Program within Manatee County Public Safety
  • Innovation and Research Award: Neochord Trial Team at Blake Medical Center
  • Adult Volunteer Award: Dr. Arthur Valadie, Coastal Orthopedics

Taking time to recognize service and excellence is important. Service to others is woven into the fabric of our community and country. I thank everyone who took the time to send in a nomination and to the almost 350 people who celebrated with us at the awards program.

Finally, with everyone celebrating Memorial Day, it is incumbent upon us all to honor a group of heroes that has made the ultimate sacrifice.

We remember the men and women who died while serving in our country’s armed forces. We honor and remember their families. We also extend our deepest thanks to our veterans and those currently serving active duty and reserves.

Manatee County’s official Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at Veterans Monument Park, located behind Manatee Memorial Hospital on the Bradenton Riverwalk.

Jacki Dezelski is the interim president of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and can be reached at JackiD@ManateeChamber.com or 941-748-3411.

This story was originally published May 28, 2017 at 8:35 AM with the headline "These champions contribute to Manatee County’s well-being through service, commitment to excellence."

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