Palm Beach County Medical Society Services and Palm Beach County Medical Society Alliance will host its 6th Annual Heroes in Medicine awards luncheon at the Kravis Centers Cohen Pavilion on April 30, 2009. The Heroes in Medicine Awards recognizes individuals and organizations that utilize their skills in the field of healthcare to provide outstanding services which meet the needs of people in local, national and/or global communities. The proceeds from the event benefit Project Access, providing health care for low income, uninsured residents of Palm Beach County and the Medical Societys medical scholarship fund. The purpose of the awards program is to encourage and stimulate commitment to service, community and corporate involvement.
To be considered for an award, nominations must be received by February 15, 2009. Winners and sponsors will be recognized in a special advertisement in On Call, the journal of Palm Beach County Medical Society. Award Categories Community Outreach Hero: This award recognizes a company, institution, organization or agency that has reached both outside and beyond its normal sphere of business either to implement a response to a community health problem or to implement an innovative approach to solving a previously recognized or unrecognized problem. Volunteer Hero: This award recognizes an individual who is not a practicing healthcare professional but who devotes time, skills and/or resources to assisting others and/or contributing to the betterment of healthcare. Nominees may also be individuals who are healthcare professionals but whose volunteer activities are unrelated to their professional status or service. Bruce Rendina Professional Hero: This award recognizes an individual whose profession is an integral part of the healthcare system but he or she is not a direct provider of patient care. This person has demonstrated the desire and willingness to use his or her knowledge and abilities to improve the health of the local, national and/or global communities. Physician Hero: This award recognizes an M.D. or D.O. who embodies the characteristics of skill, compassion and dedication to the ideals and beliefs of the profession and he or she has contributed in a significant way to the betterment of healthcare locally, nationally and/or globally. Nominees may also be physicians who have made outstanding contributions to medical education. Healthcare Provider Hero (Non-Physician): This award recognizes an individual or group of individuals who may be direct providers of healthcare but are not physicians. Nominees may include but are not limited to nurses, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists, midwives, social workers, paramedics, chiropractors, various kinds of therapists, etc. Nominees should personify the ideals of their professions and have repeatedly demonstrated activities that have gone “above and beyond,” contributing in significant ways to the betterment of healthcare locally, nationally and/or globally. Student Hero: This award recognizes a high school or college student or a group of high school or college students who have made an outstanding commitment to the healthcare of the community, locally, nationally and/or globally and as a result have made or are making a difference through their volunteer activities.