Aging Media Network, a WTWH Healthcare company, is proud to shine a light on the tireless efforts of care professionals with the announcement of the Frontline Healthcare Heroes 2023. This year’s honorees exemplify the strength, compassion, and resilience that define the best of healthcare. From behavioral health and hospice to senior living and skilled nursing, these individuals represent the very best in patient-centered care.
Recognizing Excellence Across the Care Spectrum
The Frontline Honors program celebrates workers in five key sectors: Behavioral Health, Home Health & Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care, Senior Housing & Senior Living, and Skilled Nursing. Each nominee was selected for going above and beyond—not just meeting expectations, but transforming the lives of those they serve.
Through their steadfast commitment, the Frontline Healthcare Heroes 2023 have demonstrated exceptional care, leadership, and empathy in environments that often require physical and emotional endurance. Their roles may differ, but their impact is unified: improving the quality of life for the people and communities they support.
A Message from WTWH Healthcare
“In the face of constant change and evolution, frontline care workers have kept the post-acute and senior care industries in motion, providing a stable foundation for recovery,” said George Yedinak, Executive Vice President of Healthcare at WTWH Media. “We are excited to announce the Frontline Healthcare Heroes 2023, which showcases individuals who have put patients, residents, and their team members ahead of themselves to help their organizations flourish.”
Their continued presence has been a steady force during times of uncertainty, especially in the wake of ongoing public health challenges. By placing the well-being of others above their own, these professionals exemplify what it means to be a healthcare hero.
Introducing the Frontline Honors Class of 2023
The honorees of the Frontline Healthcare Heroes 2023 come from organizations at the local, regional, and national levels. Their diversity in background and specialization reflects the complexity and depth of the care continuum.
Here are just a few of the recognized individuals:
Behavioral Health
Afrah Ali – Group Therapist II, Trauma, Compass Health Center
Ryan Bullard – CEO, BeHealthy Counseling, LLC
Iva Easterling – Chief Compliance Officer, Mahajan Therapeutics
Jose Enriquez – Senior Director, Floor Operations, Connections Health Solutions
Kristy Geiszler – Clinical Manager, evolvedMD
Liliana Hernandez – Clinical Supervisor, 360 Behavioral Health
Philip Isherwood – National Medical Director, Applegate Recovery
James McWeeney – Medical Director, BayMark Health Services
Kelly Monson – Vice President of Child Development and Family Engagement, YMCA of the North
Amairani Rolon-Esquivel – Clinical Supervisor, 360 Behavioral Health
Nina Rudnick – Vice President of Diagnostic and Psychological Assessments, Catalight
Home Health & Home Care
Tameco Brewster – Home Care Specialist, Sharecare
Barbara Buttchen – Registered Nurse, Maxim Healthcare Services
Sarah Fong – House Call Nurse Practitioner, Senior Care Clinic House Calls
Grace Haehl – Caregiver, Help at Home
Gloria Kirkendolph – Caregiver, 24 Hour Home Care
Maryann Lakey – Certified Nursing Assistant, ComForCare Homecare
Delisa Lockett – Caregiver, Help at Home
Wendy McBride – Home Health RN Case Manager, Advocate Health/Aurora Health at Home
Folashade Oluseye – Home Health Aide, Open Systems Healthcare
Rene Smith – RN Case Manager, Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice
Hester Thompson – Caregiver, Care Advantage
Shannon Voisey – Home Health Nurse, Friendship Village Senior Services
Hospice & Palliative Care
Eve Conversa – Hospice Nurse Practitioner, Advocate Health/Advocate Hospice
Leigh Jenks – Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapist, Blue Ridge Hospice
Mihir Kamdar – Head of Clinical Delivery, Tuesday Health
Michele Senbertrand – Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, By The Bay Health
Senior Housing & Senior Living
Erin Darby – Activities Coordinator, Hawthorn Senior Living at Somerset Lodge
Sharon Santilli – Certified Medical Technician, Priority Life Care, LLC
Skilled Nursing
Cristine Emerson – Director of Nursing, Avalon Health Center at StoneRidge
Lisabeth Johnson – Registered Nurse, RiverSpring Living
Stevie Lasswell – LPN, Hilltop Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation
Andrew Ow – Skilled Nursing Facility Physician, SNF Care Program, Advocate Health
Angela Perry – Certified Nursing Assistant, Pana Health & Rehab Center
Will Shipley – Certified Nursing Assistant, Odin Health & Rehab Center
Rachel Yerokun – Director of Nursing, CareOne at Newton
Terri Young – Certified Nursing Assistant, Friendship Village Senior Services
To view the entire Frontline Honors Class of 2023, visit https://frontlinehonors.agingmedia.com/
A Lasting Benchmark for Healthcare Excellence
The Frontline Healthcare Heroes 2023 are more than just award recipients—they are benchmarks for what effective, compassionate care looks like. Their dedication raises the bar for clinical standards, team leadership, and human connection within some of the most demanding areas of healthcare.
From caregivers providing home visits to behavioral health professionals guiding recovery journeys, each of the Frontline Healthcare Heroes 2023 has played a meaningful role in shaping the present and future of care. Their recognition sends a powerful message to the healthcare industry: that compassion and consistency are as critical as clinical skill.
About Aging Media Network
Aging Media Network, a WTWH Healthcare company, is an innovative publishing company based in Chicago, Illinois. It serves as the publisher of Behavioral Health Business, Home Health Care News, Hospice News, Senior Housing News, and Skilled Nursing News.
Congratulations again to the Frontline Healthcare Heroes 2023—your work is making a lasting difference, and your efforts continue to inspire others throughout the healthcare community.
