11th Annual Champions of Healthcare Awards

  • Share:
Name: 11th Annual Champions of Healthcare Awards
Date: June 12, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM EDT
Registration: Register Now
Event Description:

Join us for the 11th Annual Champions of Healthcare Awards as we honor the individuals, institutions and programs that are making an impact on health and healthcare in Manatee County.

The finalists have been selected.

Two of the nine category winners have been named before the event:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award Winner – Daniel Friedrich
  • Youth Volunteer Award Winner – Quynh Tran, Braden River High School 
Winners from the following seven categories will be announced at the awards breakfast.
 
Adult Volunteer - Finalists
  • Jeffrey Gelber, MD, Turning Points
  • Carol Lynch, HCA Florida Blake Hospital
  • Lin Oakerson, Empath Health / Tidewell Hospice  
Allied Health Professional - Finalists
  • Liz Brown, Manatee Memorial Hospital
  • Megan Hawkins, RN, HCA Florida Blake Hospital
  • Shirley Parrado, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)  
Individual of Merit - Finalists
  • Claudia Glover, Step Up Suncoast, Inc.
  • Trudy Moon, Air & Energy
  • Melvin Price, DPM, MCR Health  
Innovation/Research - Finalists
  • CAN Community Health
  • Heart & Cardiovascular Center at Manatee Memorial Hospital
  • Darlene Lobel, MD, NeuroSpinal Associates  
Institution/Program - Finalists
  • Academy at Bradenton
  • C.A.T.C.H, Step Up Suncoast, Inc.
  • We Care Manatee  
Nurse - Finalists
  • Diane Aubrey, APRN, Manatee Memorial Hospital
  • Neshia McClendon, DNP, ARNP-IP, FNP-C, CNE, CAN Community Health
  • Melissa Tunc, DNP, RN, CPHQ, PMCP, HCA Florida Blake Hospital  
Physician/Dentist - Finalists
  • Christopher Cooper, DO, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center / Cooper Family Medical
  • Fabian Ramos, MD, FIPP, DABA, DABIPP, DABPM, Ramos Center for Interventional & Functional Medicine
  • Stellios Rekkas, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Manatee Physician Alliance General & Weight Loss Surgery

The Champions of Healthcare Awards will be presented at a very special breakfast event at GROVE on Thursday, June 12, 2025. 

Reserve your seat now to network with leaders in healthcare, business, non-profit, and government while celebrating the achievements of these Champions in our community.

Individual Tickets:
Individual Ticket | $65 for Chamber Members (Non-member: $80)
Student/Child Ticket | $40 (under 18 years of age)

Cancellations received after June 5 will be invoiced as guarantees will have been made on your behalf.

Award Details:
Awards will be given out in the following categories:

  • Lifetime Achievement
  • Youth Volunteer
  • Physician
  • Nurse
  • Allied Health Professional
  • Adult Volunteer
  • Individual of Merit
  • Institution / Program
  • Innovation / Research
You won't want to miss this morning of celebration with our healthcare community!
Event Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor

Scholarship Sponsor

Program Sponsors

Corporate Sponsor

Goody Bag Sponsor

Supporting Sponsor

Printing Sponsor

Location:
GROVE
10670 Boardwalk Loop
Lakewood Ranch, FL  34202
Contact Information:
Tonya Kida, 941 748-4842 ext. 122
Send an Email
Fees/Admission:

Table Sponsorship $750 (Non-member: $850)
Individual Ticket $65 (Non-member: $80)
Student/Child Ticket $40 (under 18 years of age)
Additional Sponsorships and Advertising Opportunities Available

Set a Reminder:
Enter your email address below to receive a reminder message.
Please complete the Captcha

Skip to content