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Health Care Heroes
Date & Time
Event Location
The Health Care Heroes awards recognize excellence, promote innovation and honor the efforts of organizations and individuals making a significant impact on the quality of health care in our area.
Save the Date
Feb. 17, 2025
Hyatt Regency Rochester
Nomination deadline: Dec. 5, 2025
Nominee application deadline: Dec. 12, 2025
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and benefits please contact your account manager or email [email protected].
If you have questions about this awards event, please email [email protected].
FAQ:
What is the nomination process and the steps to take?
Once the online nomination form is completed an automated email will be sent to the individual nominated (the email address entered in the “Nominee Email” field) and a submission receipt will be sent to the email placed in the “Nominator’s Email” field.
In order for the nominee to continue with the process they must fill out the application form by the application deadline listed in the automated email and on the corresponding event landing page.
We also recommend submitting up to three letters of recommendation to https://rbj.net/letters-of-recommendation-submission-form/ by the application deadline to be included in the nominee’s judging packet as supporting materials. This is not a requirement, but an added benefit.
Nominee must be employed in one of the following counties: Monroe, Ontario, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and/or Wayne.
How can I or my organization be considered for the Health Care Heroes award?
While anyone can nominate, we recommend nominations come from a senior leader in the organization. It is then required that the nominee go through the entire application process, please see above response for more details on that.
What are the judges looking for when selecting the Health Care Heroes Honorees?
It is essential that the candidate or organization has made a significant impact on health care in the Greater Rochester Area. It is helpful to have at least one letter of recommendation from someone that can speak to this.
Can I save the nomination or application forms while I’m working on them?
Unfortunately, at this time you cannot, but we’re working to fix that. In the meantime, we suggest either filling out the forms on a separate sheet of paper and/Word Doc first or be prepared to spend some time in the form.
If I’m an honoree, do I need to purchase a ticket?
You do not need to purchase a ticket for yourself if you are an honoree. All other attendees must purchase a ticket. Please, note that all RBJ events are limited attendance based on location. Honorees and sponsors are guaranteed tickets. Individual tickets will only go on sale if space is available after sponsorship deadlines.
What is included in sponsorship packages?
Sponsorship opportunities to include a table for your guests, multimedia marketing, logo usage and much more depending on the level your company selects. For more sponsorship information and benefits please contact your account manager or email [email protected].
Can I buy an ad in the publication?
Please contact Suzanne Fischer-Huettner to place an add or purchase a sponsorship package.
What are the categories?
Acupuncture Specialist: This award honors individuals whose impeccable performance in acupuncture goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Advanced Practice Provider: This award honors nurse practitioners or physician assistants whose impeccable performance goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Chiropractor: This award recognizes individuals whose impeccable performance in chiropractic care goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Dental Specialist: This award honors dental specialists whose impeccable performance goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Eye Care Specialist: This award honors eye care specialists whose impeccable performance goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
First Responder: This award honors individuals such as emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters and police for their professional achievement and community involvement in their line of duty.
Health Care Innovation: This award honors a company or individual primarily responsible for a medical science discovery or for development of a new procedure, device or treatment that can save lives or improve the quality of life for a large number of people.
Health Care Staff: This award recognizes an individual whose performance receives high marks from peers and superiors. The category is open, but not limited, to physician assistants, emergency medical technicians and health information technicians.
Lifetime achievement: This award is presented to one individual for his/her lifetime career of advancing the health care of our region through heroic acts, mentoring, compassion, honor and integrity.
Management: This award recognizes an individual who serves in a management role in a health care institution. This person should have made measurable positive contributions to his or her organization. Factors to be judged include evidence of measurable results as well as testimonials from peers and administrators.
Massage Therapist: This award recognizes individuals whose impeccable performance in massage therapy goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Medical Professional: This award recognizes individuals who serve our community by providing services beyond the clinical setting. The category is open, but not limited, to licensed practical nurses, physical therapists and home health care aides.
Mental Health: This award honors an individual who is professionally qualified to treat patients with mental, emotional or behavioral disorders, and whose effectiveness is supported by testimonials from peers and administrators.
Nurse: This award honors a nurse who has performed in exemplary ways. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers, and patients.
Physician: This award honors a physician whose job performance is considered exemplary by patients and peers. Factors to be judged include evidence of positive outcomes, patient satisfaction and testimonials from peers and administrators.
Physical Therapist: This award recognizes physical therapists whose impeccable performance goes above and beyond in the workplace. Factors to be judged include patient satisfaction and evidence of performance effectiveness, including testimonials from superiors, peers and patients.
Senior Care: This award honors an individual for exceptional care to the elderly. Factors to be judged include evidence of performance effectiveness as well as testimonials from peers and administrators.
Special Needs Advocate: This award honors a person whose job performance is considered exemplary and makes a positive difference in the lives of special needs individuals and their families. Factors to be judged include evidence of performance effectiveness, and testimonials from peers and administrators.
Volunteer: This award honors an individual whose volunteer efforts in the health care field have made a significant positive impact on the community. The efforts—present or past—should be explained and supported by testimonials.
Congratulations to the 2024 Honorees!
These outstanding health care organizations and professionals are being recognized for their professional accomplishments, community leadership, innovation, and mentoring.
Advanced Practice Provider
Jennifer Lingle,
Rochester Regional Health, Sands Constellation Heart Institute
Teresa O’Connor,
Catholic Charities Family and Community Services
Sue Ellen Staley,
St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center
Rosemarie Lanza Surowiec,
Trillium Health
Chiropractor
Dr. Larry Peshkin,
IronChiro
Dental Specialist
Dr. Jordan J. Antetomaso,
Harborside Dental Team
Dr. Matthew Wolfe,
Harborside Dental Team
Health Care Innovation
ED U-Turn,
Rochester Regional Health Home Care & Hospice
MyDay Energys,
CooperVision
Strategic Innovations to Advance Quality
and Health Equity, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Treatment Court Team,
Rochester Regional Health Chemical Dependency
Health Care Staff
Thelica Diane Council,
St. Ann’s Community
Noemis Hernandez,
Rochester Regional Health Home Care & Hospice
Faith Ann Searls,
M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center
Michelle L. Walker,
Monroe Community Hospital
Lifetime Achievement
Susan Chalupa Breese,
Rochester Regional Health
Sevinc Ince,
Edna Tina Wilson Living Center
Patricia Pennella,
Empowering People’s Independence
Shelley D. Scott,
Park Ridge Living Center
Management
Shireen Bertino,
Friendly Home
Yvonne A. Butman,
Jewish Senior Life
Dr. Ahmed Farag,
Rochester Regional Health
Julie Owen,
Heritage Christian Services
Medical Professional
Andrew J. Post,
HCR Home Care
Mental Health
Deanna Ferguson,
Rochester Mental Health Center/Rochester Regional Health
Rebecca Kieffer,
St. John Fisher University
Tammy Piotter,
Rochester Regional Genesee Mental Health PROS
Kelly Wilmot,
Villa of Hope
Nurse
Morgan Deming,
Rochester Regional Health, Unity Hospital
Monica A. Epps,
St. John’s Nursing Home
Andrea Oser,
Jewish Home of Rochester
Angel L. Perez Jr.,
HCR Home Care
Julia Schmeer,
F.F. Thompson Hospital
Rachelle Stevens,
Rochester General Hospital
Physician
Dr. Catherine Josephine Cantwell,
Thompson Health Canandaigua Medical Group OB/GYN
Dr. Amanda Coniglio,
Rochester Regional Health
Dr. Christine Coward,
Flaum Eye Institute
Dr. S. Izhar Mustafa,
United Cerebral Palsy Association of the Rochester Area, Inc. dba CP Rochester
Senior Care
Christy Lee Brewer,
M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center
Stephanie L. Gallo,
M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center
Doria Joyce-Rocchio,
Jewish Senior Life
Amy Marie Prindle,
Rochester Regional Health, DeMay Living Center
Special Needs
Shameka Gilbert,
Person Centered Services
Dr. Adela Guset,
Rochester Regional Health
Jennifer L. Levey,
Empowering People’s Independence
Volunteer
Cheryl A. DeMeyers, Newark Wayne Community
Hospital
Nancy Munson, St. Joseph’s
Neighborhood Center
Click here to see all past honorees – RBJ Award Database
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