KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — ImageFIRST has announced the winners of its 4th Annual HeroesFIRST Contest, a nationwide initiative recognizing exceptional Healthcare Heroes who have made significant positive impacts on their patients’ lives. The contest, which garnered over 470 nominations from the ImageFIRST Service Team, saw 20 Healthcare Heroes selected as finalists. Public voting determined the top eight winners, each receiving a cash prize or a charitable donation equivalent.
The top winners include:
- Paula Cote, Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro, NH
- Ashley Swenson, HonorHealth in Phoenix, AZ
- Jennifer Levi, Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN
- Dawn Compres, Ronald McDonald House in Miami, FL
- Deborah Hunter, Bailey Square Surgery Center in Austin, TX
- Erica Murphy, Regional SurgiCenter in Moline, IL
- Rita Hartman, North Shore Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Center in Westlake, OH
- Natalie Powers, The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, KS
Local celebrations will honor each winner, with details available upon request. Jorge Parra, ImageFIRST District Service Manager, praised Paula Cote, saying, “From the moment I met her, I could see she was a truly genuine person. Paula demonstrates her compassion for her patients and care for everyone around her. It came as no surprise she was nominated as a hero.”
Paula Cote expressed her gratitude, stating, “It is an honor to receive HeroesFIRST recognition from an organization as remarkable as ImageFIRST. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of Huggins Hospital’s administration and my amazing colleagues.”
ImageFIRST CEO Edward H. Orzetti emphasized the initiative’s impact, noting, “Each nomination tells a story of kindness and selflessness. We are proud to celebrate these remarkable individuals and their extraordinary contributions. Their efforts inspire us all at ImageFIRST to strive for service excellence.”
Finalists and runners-up in the contest include:
- Elaine Sherfy, Riverwalk Ambulatory Surgery Center in Bradenton, FL
- Amy Taylor, Christus Physician Surgery Center in New Braunfels, TX
- Claudia Melendez, Newport Coast Surgical Institute in Newport Beach, CA
- David Neal, Roseland Hospital in Chicago, IL
- Keitha Brown Zittle, Medquest-Novant Health Breast Center in Charlotte, NC
- Karla Ochoa, Alpha Male Plastic Surgery in New York, NY
- Karol Iser, American Cancer Society Hope Lodge KC in Kansas City, MO
- Nayeli Acosta, Dr. Andrew Smith in Irvine, CA
- Tahisha McLemore, Crescent Regional Hospital in Lancaster, TX
- Julie Hauk, ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Kenosha in Kenosha, WI
- Elizabeth Graf, Ft. Lauderdale Heart & Rhythm Surgery Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Dr. Juan Carlos Correa, Kansas City Vascular Institute in Overland Park, KS
The HeroesFIRST Contest continues to highlight the dedication of healthcare professionals who tirelessly serve their communities, inspiring both peers and the broader healthcare industry.
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