Meet the 9 people recognized as champions of health care in Manatee County

More than 300 people filled the main building of Manatee Technical College's State Road 70 campus on Thursday for the Manatee Chamber of Commerce's sixth annual Champions of Healthcare Awards.

Nine health care employees, programs and institutions from Manatee County were honored for their outstanding contributions to the community.

More than 60 nominations were made by members of the community. A panel of five judges narrowed the list of finalists and selected the winners.

"Every nominee is a winner," said Matthew Lapointe, Chairman of the Manatee Chamber Healthcare Committee. "Every nominee contributes immensely to the quality of healthcare in Manatee County and the quality of life that we all share."

'My heart is here'

Karen Liebert, MD, of Manatee Gynecology, took home the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Manatee Gynecology was Bradenton's first OB/GYN clinic — it opened in 1952. In her nearly 30 years of working there, Liebert has delivered 5,000 babies — making her a champion for mothers, fathers and children, said Patty Madsen, RN.

Madsen likened Liebert's stamina to that of the Energizer Bunny.

In addition to practicing gynecology, Liebert is the medical director of two crisis pregnancy centers in Bradenton and Sarasota — even reducing her office hours to fulfill those duties, Madsen said.

"I don't get paid for that, it's my heart," Liebert said.

CareNet and the Community Pregnancy Clinic Inc. provide abortion alternatives and free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests and STD tests to the Bradenton and Sarasota area. They also offer post-abortion healing services and free maternity supplies to mothers. Neither of the programs are federally funded.

"My teams at the three different places sponsored this table, so my heart is here," Liebert said.

Liebert graduated with honors from the Georgetown University School of Medicine. In 2005, she was invited to attend the State of the Union Address by then-First Lady Laura Bush.

But Liebert's proudest accomplishment, she says, is her family.

She is married to Dr. Hugh Liebert, a cardiologist at Blake Medical Center. Together, they share 55 years of medical experience.

"We have four children and five grandchildren," Liebert said. "But it's possible. We have wonderful family."

Giving back to the county

Kiarra Louis, 18, was this year's Youth Volunteer Award winner.

As a high school freshman, Louis became a teen health educator through the Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County. The program informs area youth about high-risk behaviors, such as substance abuse and teen pregnancy.

"Some kids are receptive and others are not, but there are moments when you have connections with the kids and you feel like they understand what you're saying and you feel like you're making a breakthrough," Louis said. "I love having those moments and just knowing that you're making a difference and impacting a child's life."

Louis completed more than 300 hours of community service while attending Southeast High School. In May, she graduated in the top 10 percent of her class, with a 4.5 GPA. She was also a member of the school's international baccalaureate program, National Honor Society, and yearbook.

She won the journalism award at the 2018 Golden Herald Awards.

Now, Louis is the first in her family to attend college. She is enrolled at USF Sarasota-Manatee, where she will study professional and technical communication. She was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Chamber of Commerce to pursue her education.

"I've been to quite a few ceremonies this year, and the reoccurring theme I've heard is, 'Go to college, and if you're going out of state, come back and make Manatee County great again,' " Louis said.

"That kind of sunk in, so I plan on doing that — going to USF, learning something and hoping I can use my degree in a way to make the county even better, because they've done a lot for me."

In addition to Liebert and Louis, the following winners were recognized:

▪ Adult Volunteer: Marquel Simmons, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County, Inc.

▪ Innovation/Research: Opioid Alternative Program, Manatee Memorial Hospital

▪ Institution/Program: HOSA — Future Health Professionals, School District of Manatee County

▪ Allied Health Professional: Michael Harnish, Manatee Healthcare System

▪ Nurse: Rosa Porter, RN, MCR Health Services

▪ Physician: Sean Castellucci, DO, Urology Partners

▪ Individual of Merit: Joshua Barnett, Manatee County Government

MTC was the chamber's "Plan B" location, as the ceremony was planned for May at the Fete Ballroom at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch, said Chamber president Jacki Dezelski. In April, the owners of the Polo Grill announced they were closing the restaurant and ballroom.

Follow Emily Wunderlich on Twitter @EmilyWunderlich.

This story was originally published June 28, 2018 at 1:33 PM.