For Wisconsin, 2012 was a memorable and tumultuous year in so many ways.
The mass shootings in Oak Creek and Brookfield rocked our world in profound ways, and we are still trying to make sense of it all as those communities proceed with the process of healing.
So, it is an honor that BizTimes Milwaukee features the first responders to those shootings among the 2012 class of Health Care Heroes.
In this special report, you’ll read about the remarkable bravery of the police officers and firefighters who stepped into harm’s way and prevented even more casualties and injuries.
You also will read about “everyday” heroes, who don’t receive headlines or spotlights, but make a positive impact on other people’s lives.
That’s the beauty of this program. These modest folks don’t seek the spotlight, but we are proud to shine it upon them anyway, because they deserve it.
The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, including: Karen Ordinans, executive director of the Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin; Dr. Sarah Pratt, a pediatrician who is the past president of the Medical Society of Milwaukee County Board of Directors and a past member of the Wisconsin Medical Society Board of Directors; Connie Roethel, R.N., wellness expert and president of Core Health Group in Mequon; and Phyllis King, Ph.D., associate dean, professor and associate director of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Center for Ergonomics.
I personally want to thank the judges who took time out of their busy schedules to diligently wade through the nominations and select the recipients of the awards.
I want to thank our sponsor, UnitedHealthcare, without whom we could not present this worthy and inspirational program.
Finally, I want to thank our Health Care Heroes. We present their stories in this special section as a Christmas gift to our readers.
Dan Meyer
Publisher
BizTimes Milwaukee
Listed below are the stories about each of the 2012 Healthcare Heroes.
CLICK HERE to read about… City of Oak Creek First Responders Team
CLICK HERE to read about… City of Brookfield First Responders Team
CLICK HERE to read about… Daniel Hernandez, Public Safety Officer at Marquette University
CLICK HERE to read about… Dr. David Baker, Professor and associate chair of biomedical sciences at Marquette University & Founder and Director of Promentis Pharmaceuticals
CLICK HERE to read about… Dr. Amy Vaughan Van Hecke, Assistant professor of psychology & director of Marquette Autism Clinic at Marquette University
CLICK HERE to read about… Dr. Joshua Field, Associate medical director at Blood Center of Wisconsin, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Medical College of Wisconsin & Medical Director of Adult Sickle Cell Clinic at Froedtert Hospital
CLICK HERE to read about… Michael Malone, M.D, Director of geriatrics at Aurora Health Care & Professor of Medicine at University Wisconsin school of medicine and public health
CLICK HERE to read about… Stanya Smith, M.D, Medical Director Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at ProHealth Care Neuroscience Center
CLICK HERE to read about… Debbie Donovan, Manager of the Sexual Assault Treatment Center at Aurora Health Care
CLICK HERE to read about… Darren Horndasch, President and CEO of Wisconsin Vision, Inc.
CLICK HERE to read about… Bill Solberg, Director of Community Service at Columbia St. Mary’s
CLICK HERE to read about… Ernest Colburn, Patient Care Supervisor at Wheaton Franciscan – St. Joseph Campus
CLICK HERE to read about… Gina Wheeler, Director of Operations at Milwaukee Center for Independence L.I.F.E. Services Center
CLICK HERE to read about… Peggy Lohr, Registered Nurse at Columbia St. Mary’s Regional Burn Center
CLICK HERE to read about… Yvonne Kraker, Director of Nursing-Assisted Living at Catholic Health Initiatives facilities Franciscan Gardens, Franciscan House, Franciscan Courts
CLICK HERE to read about… Michael Hoffmann, Hospice Companion at Horizon Home Care and Hospice
CLICK HERE to read about… Mary Czerwinski and Family
