BizTimes Milwaukee recently announced the winners of its 2009 Health Care Heroes Awards.
The awards honor people and organizations that are making a positive difference on the front lines of health care in southeastern Wisconsin.
The recipients will be honored at the 2009 BizTimes Health Care Heroes Breakfast, which will take place on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Hotel in Wauwatosa.
The public is invited to attend the breakfast to celebrate the achievements of the Health Care Heroes. The event will be emceed by WISN-Channel 12 news anchor Patrick Paolantonio. For additional information about the event, visit www.biztimes/hero.
This year’s Health Care Heroes are:
Grand Achievement Award
The research team led by Dr. Stephen Duncan, Marcus professor in human and molecular genetics at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, which successfully produced liver cells from patients’ skin cells, making the next great advancement in stem cell therapy.
Advancements in Health Care
Dr. Madan Kandula, president of Advanced Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists, who was the first surgeon to perform balloon sinuplasty.
Dr. Robert Truitt, professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Associate Director for Research at the Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, who accomplished groundbreaking research and advancements in the care for patients with childhood cancer.
The Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry, president of Concordia University Wisconsin, who is developing the Concordia School of Pharmacy School.
Community Service
Delta Dental of Wisconsin, which is providing oral health care to under-served populations throughout the state.
Dr. Francine Feinberg, executive director of Meta House, who is providing vital care for patients with mental health needs.
Corporate Achievement in Health Care
Raymond Zastrow, president of Quad/Med LLC, West Allis, which is making innovative, cost-saving advancements in the delivery of health care to employees in the region.
Health Care Staff
The Rev. Fletcher Simpson, chaplain, Horizon Home Care & Hospice, who provides extraordinary care to patients and their families.
The Heart-to-Heart Mission Team, which donated personal and vacation time to travel to the Dominican Republic to perform heart surgeries. The team was led by Dr. Curtis Quinn, on-staff physician at Community Memorial Hospital, and Dr. John Crouch of Aurora Health Care. Both Dr. Quinn and Dr. Crouch are cardiothoracic surgeons. The other Heart-to-Heart Mission Team members include Community Memorial staff members Joe Butterfield, Shannon Stiller, Heidi Dittert, Shari Goeden and Laurie Schoenherr.
Nurse
Sue Dummer, R.N., staff R.N. educator, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, who made bold innovations in nursing over a 27-year career.
Virginia Fisher, R.N., case manager, Wheaton Franciscan Home Health & Hospice, who is a compassionate advocate for patients.
Physician
Dr. John Fangman, medical director at the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin and assistant professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, who is providing unparalleled quality care for patients with AIDS.
Dr. Bruce Camitta, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, who is leading a national collaborative oncology research group.
Dr. John Gordon, medical director of the Special Needs Program at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and professor of pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin.
Volunteer
Dale and Ellen Jante, Union Grove, who are advocates for the care of patients with Parkinson’s Disease.
Mary Brennan-Druml, president of the Wisconsin ALS Association, who is an advocate for patients with ALS.