Manatee dermatologist stars in ‘Healthcare’ Awards

Long-time Bradenton dermatologist Peter J. Mattina was the star of Thursday’s 4th Annual Champions of Healthcare Awards Breakfast, but Healthy Teen volunteer Flor Zamora stole the show.

Mattina’s office at 800 39th St. W. in Bradenton has been a mecca for decades where people trek to battle skin cancer. With his wife, daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren, nurse and office manager watching, the humble Mattina accepted the Champions of Healthcare 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Just moments before, Flor, a Manatee High School student who volunteers as a teen health educator with Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee, accepted the Youth Volunteer Award with a vibrant speech that showed her determination to change the world.

“I was a target of bullying,” Flor told the crowd at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch. “It really got me down because I didn’t know how to deal with it. Therefore, one of the topics I am very passionate about is bullying prevention.”

Then Flor asked her fellow teen health educators to stand up and be recognized, and when she got to the last teen educator’s name, she said, “...and Jonathan Ibarra, who is lucky enough to be my boyfriend.”

The crowd went crazy to hear her self-confidence, self-esteem and self-appreciation.

Gerhard Toth of Regions Bank introduced Mattina with an awe-inspiring account of the doctor’s achievements, including his 40 years in practice, his role in the founding of We Care Manatee, his time and financial support of Turning Points, his community involvement with Bradenton Kiwanis, his driving to Tampa to the Veteran’s Affairs hospital to serve veterans and his trips abroad with Doctors Without Borders.

Mattina got a standing ovation.

Mattina, who is said to be uniquely skilled at diagnosing skin cancers and treating them, told the audience a story about a man he met while volunteering at Turning Points who had to leave his job because of a large tumor on his face. The man became homeless.

“We diagnosed his problem and gave him care and he was able to return to that job, and we had one less homeless person on the street,” Mattina said. “This is what we are trying to accomplish.”

Mattina proudly introduced his wife, Janice, his daughters, Kara Bettle and Amy Fleece and his son, Justin. But he didn’t stop there. He also recognized his office manager, Renee Harris and his nurse, April Smith.

“I want to say that I am very humbled by this award,” Mattina said. “I am honored and very grateful. I was very surprised by it. There are so many people that helped along the way.”

Said Janice Mattina about her husband of 29 years: “He’s amazing. He cares so much about his patients. He is a man of ethics. He also plays tennis — and he’s good.”

“My dad is very kind,” Bettle said. “He is committed to family and taking care of people. We have grown up watching him go out of his way to help people.”

Said Harris: “He is the most generous person I know. He is kind and loving.”

“This award couldn’t go to a better person, he is so deserving,” Smith said.

Chamber has ‘hit’ show

The Manatee County Chamber of Commerce seems to have a hit show on its hands with this ever-growing annual breakfast in Lakewood Ranch, whose goal is to raise awareness of the positive achievements happening in Manatee County’s healthcare community.

From just a few people at the breakfast four years ago, the event registered a record crowd Thursday exceeding 350, said Jacki Dezelski of the chamber.

The chamber had to scrutinize a record 99 nominations to pick a slate of 10 “positive achievements” awards. The nominations were community-wide, and the organizations did not have to be chamber members, Dezelski said.

“These are not ‘best’ awards like best doctor,” Dezelski said. “These awards are for giving back to the community.”

The award winner who seemed to garner the most screams and shouts was Sue Troxler, who won the “nurse” award. Troxler works for the School District of Manatee County.

The crowd also showed its appreciation for Stan Brock, who flew down from Tennessee to accept the Community Impact Award for the non-profit he started and brought to Bradenton, Remote Area Medical. Known as RAM, Brock’s not-for-profit provided medical and dental care to hundreds of medically needy patients at Manatee Technical College this past autumn.

“We saw a lot of people last year, and it took a lot of people in this room to make it happen,” Brock said.

Brock drew applause when he said, “Health care in America should be a right, not a privilege.”

Brock also asked people at the breakfast to urge Florida to change its laws and allow doctors from other states to cross state lines so RAM can bring more doctors into Manatee County from other states when it returns to Manatee in November.

“I am hoping Florida will become the 13th state to change this law,” Brock said.

“What a celebration,” Dezelski said after all the awards had been handed out. “The nominees, finalists and winners are such a testament to the great things that are happening in our community. Most of the winners made some mention in their remarks about how generous this community is. Manatee County is the best place to live, work and play, period.”

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Manatee dermatologist stars in ‘Healthcare’ Awards."