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Long hours. High-stress environments. Sometimes heartbreaking situations (but other times joyful). The NJBIZ Health Care Heroes awards recognize the professionals who go through all of that and more – every day. 

This program was created to recognize excellence, promote innovation and honor the efforts of individuals and organizations making a significant impact on the quality of health care in New Jersey. 

Based on your submissions, and chosen by a panel of independent judges, the program recognizes individuals and organizations across 11 categories, including three that are new for 2024: Ambulatory Care, Mental Health and Physical Therapy.  

On June 25, we will gather to celebrate these heroes at The Palace at Somerset Park. Hackensack Meridian Health is the presenting sponsor for this program.  

Tickets for the event are now on sale on the event page. Early-bird pricing ends May 19, and ticket sales close June 17. 

Congratulations to the 2024 NJBIZ Health Care Heroes!

Education Hero – Individual

Teri Wurmser, vice president, Nursing Research, Grants, and Academic Affairs, Hackensack Meridian Health; dean, Hackensack Meridian School of Nursing and Wellness at Georgian Court 

Kara Yannotti, education specialist, Oncology
Holy Name Medical Center 

Linda Flynn, dean and professor
Rutgers University School of Nursing, Rutgers Health 

Dr. Nayan Kothari, chief academic officer, emeritus chairman and program director
Saint Peter’s University Hospital 

Education Hero – Organization

Morristown Medical Center – Atlantic Health System 

NJ Sharing Network 

Sound Start Foundation 

Innovation Hero – Individual

Dr. Young Hong, chief, Division of Surgical Oncology; director, Cellular Therapy and Clinical Research
Cooper University Health Care/ MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper 

Pamela Harmon, nursing director, Women & Children’s Division, Respiratory Care Department & The Center for Sleep and Breathing Disorders; administrative director, Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center
Saint Peter’s University Hospital 

Innovation Hero – Organization

Christian Health 

Culina Health 

Dentistry.One by MouthWatch 

Eisai Inc. 

Oticon 

Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA) 

Health Care Professional

Ryan Ahern, director, Horizons Neurological
Allaire Rehab and Nursing 

Gemma Downham, campus administrative officer
AtlantiCare Health System 

Carrie Ditzel, clinical psychologist, director of geropsychology
Baker Street Behavioral Health 

Meghan Farrell, chief operating officer and chief knowledge officer
Baker Street Behavioral Health and The COR Behavioral Group 

Shari Gold, senior vice president for regulatory compliance-chief quality and equity officer
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center  

Mark Andrawis, prosthodontist and owner/operator
ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers 

Jason Kavountzis, director of rehabilitation services
Holy Name Medical Center 

Dr. Naimat Bokhari, director of coding and billing compliance
Optum NJ 

Avril Keldo, director of professional practice
Saint Peter’s University Hospital 

Jennifer Harris, vice president, clinical services
The COR Behavioral Group 

Jill Guzman, director, Counseling, Health and Wellness Center
William Paterson University 

Nurse of the Year

Marianna Thaler, director, acute nursing and operating room
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center 

Barbara Grygotis, senior director of nursing operations, medical/surgical nursing
Englewood Hospital 

Corinne Lora, director of perioperative services
Hudson Regional Hospital 

Sheila Caldwell, school nurse
Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District 

Pamela Hughes, certified wound ostomy continence nurse, The Wound Healing Program
Overlook Medical Center – Atlantic Health System 

Physician of the Year

Dr. Anthony Accurso, medical director of addiction medicine
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center 

Dr. Mark Rieger, senior partner physician and senior surgeon; medical group board member
Consensus Health Medical Group 

Dr. Kevin Yao, chief of neurosurgery
Englewood Hospital 

Dr. Manuel Alvarez, chair, OB-GYN, Hackensack University Medical Center; chair, OB-GYN, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Hackensack Meridian Health 

Dr. Kavita Beri, internal medicine
Optum 

Dr. Elizabeth Revesz, breast surgeon
Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program 

Dr. Meherwan Joshi, cardiologist
Trinitas Regional Medical Center – RWJBarnabas Health 

Public Health Hero

Ann Marie Stoebling, director of community health and business outreach
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center 

Colleen Nelson, vice president of clinical operations
Children & Family Health Institute 

Sabina Sanchez, patient representative/community outreach coordinator
Hudson Regional Hospital 

Jennifer D’Angelo, chief operating officer and executive vice president
New Jersey Innovation Institute 

Margie Heller, senior vice president of community health and global strategic partnerships
RWJBarnabas Health  

Danielle King, program manager
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset 

Sarina Brady, CEO
VNACJ Community Health Center 

Volunteer of the Year

Mike Munoz, senior vice president and market president
AmeriHealth 

John Reilly, board member
Hudson Regional Hospital and Hudson Regional Hospital Foundation 

Ambulatory Care (outpatient care) – Organization

Hackensack Meridian Health  

Integrated Specialty ASC  

MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper  

The Englewood Health ZT Systems Outpatient Center 

Mental Health – Organization 

A Work of Heart Counseling & Wellness  

Atlantic Behavioral Health – Atlantic Health System  

Baker Street Behavioral Health  

Care Plus NJ Inc.  

Preferred Behavioral Health Group  

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset’s Eating Disorders Program, part of RWJBarnabas Health’s Behavioral Health Services in partnership with Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care 

Physical Therapy – Organization

Davis Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab

Empowered Pelvic Health

Hackensack Meridian Health

JAG Physical Therapy

Workplace Wellness Hero – Organization

Humanistic Medicine Program at Overlook Medical Center – Atlantic Health System

Virtua Health