Healthcare Heroes were honored at a luncheon July 13th. Photo by Tara Hodges, Sweet Snaps Photography
The Healthcare Heroes program is The Business Journal of Tri-Cities, TN/VA’s effort to call the attention of the business community to the individuals and organizations making a positive impact on the provision of care from Greeneville, Tenn., to Marion, Va.
Health care is the largest single sector in the region’s economy. The merger this year of two hospital systems has meant, among other things, that the single largest employer in the region is now a healthcare company. In addition, thousands of healthcare jobs in the region are not directly related to that single employer.
Healthcare Heroes come from virtually every point on the healthcare spectrum. Whether direct care providers, administrators, or volunteers, each has in some way demonstrated selfless spirit, innovative action, tireless dedication or all of the above. Most do not believe what they do constitutes heroic actions. It’s just what they do. Yet what they do means so much to so many, and in many cases the impact they make on other lives can last for years. As former Frontier Health CEO Charlie Good once told a class of honorees, “someone looked at you and thought, ‘There is a true hero.’”
As it has been for 26 years, it is our honor at The Business Journal – a sister publication of The News & Neighbor – to recognize these heroes, as we did at a luncheon at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City July 13. We do this on behalf of the entire business community of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Without quality healthcare, none of the rest of our businesses can survive. Every business in the region needs healthy employees and healthy clients or customers.
This year, the Cup of Kindness Awards were presented to Scott Richards of Emory & Henry (Community Service Award), Dr. Jerry London (Distinguished Service), Dr. David Hecht of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (Innovation Award), Niswonger Children’s Hospital CEO Lisa Carter (Meritorious Service Award) and Dr. Ronna New of Holston Medical Group (Support Service Award).
The Healthcare Heroes Awards went to: Chrisi Blalock, Meagan Fisher, Kristie Hammonds and Nina Hancock of Frontier Health; Heidi Dulebohn and the Baby Box Team and Brandon Green of Niswonger Children’s Hospital; KJ Gulson of Mountain States Medical Group; Freddie Horn, Charlie Lawson and Beverly Tester of the Bristol Regional Medical Center; Andrew Hull of Milligan College; Diane Karriker of Smyth County Community Hospital; Angela May of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center; Ned McIntyre, Chris Miller and Kevin Williams of the Johnson City Medical Center; Candi Overholt of Takoma Medical Associates; Trish Tanner of Ballad Health; Dr. Alison Whitman of the Holston Medical Group; and the Healing Hands Heath Care Optometry and Ophthalmology Volunteers.
The Business Journal wishes to recognize the dedication and commitment of our title partner for the 2018 Healthcare Heroes, Ballad Health, as well as presenting partner Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, and partners Emory & Henry College, Frontier Health and London-Amburn.
