BizTimes Media will recognize Children’s Wisconsin for its work on identifying a serious public health concern for vaping teenagers at the annual Health Care Heroes awards program on Dec. 13.
Children’s Wisconsin, formerly known as Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, will receive a Special Impact Award for its work on teen vaping.
Earlier this year, Children’s admitted several otherwise healthy teenagers with mysterious severe respiratory problems. Each patient went through a battery of tests, but a cause could not be determined.
Hospital staff conducted an investigation, examining the patients’ history and discovered that vaping was a common thread among them. Children’s shared that information with the state Department of Health Services and went public with information about a possible link of vaping to teen respiratory problems.
Soon after, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert, putting the teen vaping health issue on the national radar. Some states have since banned the sale of e-cigarette products.
Also to be recognized during the 2019 Health Care Heroes program, former Wisconsin Gov. Martin Schreiber will be honored with a lifetime achievement award for his advocacy work on issues related to Alzheimer’s and dementia.
All award winners will be honored at an awards breakfast on Friday, Dec. 13, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee. M3 Insurance is the sponsor of the Health Care Heroes program.
The complete list of 2019 Health Care Heroes awards winners includes:
Advancements in Health Care
Dr. Katja Kovacic, gastroenterologist – Children’s Wisconsin
Behavioral Health
Crisis Resource Centers
Dr. Terri deRoon-Cassini, associate professor – Medical College of Wisconsin
Dr. Adel Korkor, founder – A.B Korkor Foundation for Mental Health
Community Service
Monica Hebl, dentist/owner – Burleigh Dental
Joshua Knox, physician assistant/clinical associate professor – Marquette University
Executive Leadership
Cheryl Maurana, PhD, professor of population health and senior vice president for strategic academic partnerships – Medical College of Wisconsin
First Responder
Ladonna Davis, licensed practical nurse – Community Care
Health Care Staff
Fabiola De Chico, community health coordinator – Ascension St. Francis Hospital
Bryan Lewis, assistant to the dean for health-related professions – UW-Parkside
Nurse
Barb Burmeister, registered nurse, Froedtert Hospital
Jeffrey Couillard, registered nurse, Advanced Pain Management
Physician
Dr. Madelaine Tully, family practice physician – Progressive Community Health Centers
Volunteer
Dr. Peter Geiss, medical director – Lake Area Free Clinic
Lifetime Achievement
Martin Schreiber, former governor of Wisconsin, author of “My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver”
Special Impact Award
Children’s Wisconsin
Get more information, or register to attend, at biztimes.com/hero
