One measure of this commitment is the length of their service in their hospitals and professions. A second is the number and quality of new programs they have initiated and will leave as a legacy to their commitment.
Many of these heroes mentioned the change that computers have brought to the healthcare
system over the course of their careers. However, a few of these individuals have worked in healthcare not only before system-wide computerization, but also before ultrasound, the implantable pacemaker or the
laser. Heroes both old and young have followed their callings through a generation of evolution in technological advances.
Another characteristic of this year’s class of heroes is its dedication to change and its imperative to address perceived needs, whether by starting a volunteer group or implementing a new program or clinic. These heroes transcend their departmental roles to improve the hospital experience for all.
At every level, the personal initiatives of these Heroes in Healthcare have changed their institutions and the lives of those their institutions serve. While most of these individuals have watched their institutions grow and prosper, all are too modest to acknowledge their own substantial contribution to that growth.
