Healthcare Heroes

We celebrated our 2021 Healthcare Heroes on Thursday, Oct. 21 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.
View the 2021 Healthcare Heroes Program Guide HERE
This year’s Healthcare Heroes program was sponsored by: presenting sponsors Elms College and Baystate Health/Health New England, and partner sponsor Trinity Health Of New England/Mercy Medical Center.
Watch the Thursday, Oct. 21 Healthcare Heroes Event HERE!
Overall, everyone who was nominated this year is a hero, but in the minds of our judges — the writers and editors at BusinessWest — eight of these stories stood out among the others. The Healthcare Heroes for 2021 are:
Since BusinessWest and its sister publication, Healthcare News, launched the new recognition program known as Healthcare Heroes in 2017, the initiative has more than succeeded in its quest to identify true leaders — not to mention inspiring stories — within this region’s large and very important healthcare sector.
The award was created to recognize those whose contributions to the health and well-being of this region, while known to some, needed to become known to all. And this is certainly true this year.
Indeed, while some of the individuals, programs, and concepts highlighted in the stories below are known to familiar to many in this region, others are not, and they should be.
Collectively, these stories come down to a single word: passion. These individuals and groups have a passion for helping others in need. Their individual stories vary, but the common denominator is a willingness to step in, step up, be counted, and work tirelessly toward making a difference in the lives of others. We find these stories to be compelling and inspirational, and we’re sure you will as well.
Looking Back on Previous Years...
Healthcare Heroes 2019 Celebration
View the 2019 Healthcare Heroes Program Guide Flipbook HERE
2018 Healthcare Heroes

Mary Paquette
Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider:
Mary Paquette, director of Health Services/nurse practitioner, American International College

Celeste Surreira
Health/Wellness Administrator/ Administrator:
Celeste Surreira, assistant director of Nursing, the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke

Peter A. DePergola II
Emerging Leader:
Peter DePergola II, director of Clinical Ethics, Baystate Health
The Healthcare Heroes Sponsors for 2018:

Healthcare Heroes 2017 Celebration

Healthcare Heroes 2017 Event
Scenes from the October 2017 Gala Photos by Dani Fine Photography There were more than 70 nominations for the inaugural Healthcare Heroes class, and each
HERO (n.) a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
BusinessWest and Healthcare News have created Healthcare Heroes to honor those who live up to that word’s definition. This region’s health and wellness sector is large, diverse, and dominated by heroes of all kinds. They’re on the front lines, in the administrative office, the research lab, the neighborhood clinic, the family dentist’s office, the college health and science building. They’re making real contributions to the quality of life in our communities, and it’s time to recognize their efforts!