Page 18 - BusinessWest September 15, 2021

HEALTHCARE HEROES OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Celebrating the Healthcare Heroes for 2021
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 sto- ries beginning on page 19 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 tireless- ly toward making a difference in the lives of others. We find these stories to be compel- ling and inspirational, and we’re sure you will as well.
HEROES
Lifetime Achievement:
James Goodwin, President and CEO, Center for Human Development
Emerging Leader:
Dr. Sarah Haessler, Hospital Epidemiologist, Baystate Medical Center Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, Department of Medicine, Baystate Health
Community Health:
Beth Cardillo, Executive Director, Armbrook Village, and Richard Johnson, Counseling and Testing Prevention and Education Program Director, New North Citizens Council Inc.
Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider:
Dr. Louis J. DeCaro, Podiatrist and Owner, DeCaro Total Foot Care Center
Health/Wellness Administrator:
Dr. Alicia Ross, Medical Director, Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care
Innovation in Health/Wellness:
J. Aleah Nesteby, Director of LGBTQ Services, Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Collaboration in Health/Wellness:
Doorway to an Accessible, Safe and Healthy Home
We’re excited to celebrate our Healthcare Heroes on Thursday, Oct. 21 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Details on the protocols for that event will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Healthcare Heroes program is being sponsored by: presenting sponsors Elms College and Baystate Health/Health New England, and partner sponsor Trinity Health Of New England/Mercy Medical Center.
PRESENTING SPONSORS
PARTNER SPONSORS
HEALTHCARE
OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
A Program of BusinessWest and Healthcare News
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:
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SEPTEMBER 2021
2021 HEALTHCARE HEROES