Alliance for Health honors Health Heroes | Community Spirit

Grand Rapids - Wednesday night, Alliance for Health in Grand Rapids honored West Michigan's unheralded heroes, everyday people changing the community through their work.

The West Michigan Salutes Health Heroes was held in Bridgewater Place and hosted by WZZM 13's Valerie Lego and WJRW's Tony Gates.  Nominations were collected from the public for categories including organizational hero, rising hero, regional hero, innovation hero, every day hero and unsung hero.

Karen Karatkiewicz of Stafford Media Solutions attended the event.  Here is what she had to say about it:

"I was in the presence of greatness. Every day heroes gathered at Bridgewater Place to be honored during the first annual West Michigan Salutes Health Heroes event put on by Alliance for Health. The stories were so very touching and inspiring. I was in awe of the impact these heroes are having in our community. All making a difference. All doing it for the right reasons. All so very humble.

It was great to see such a solid turn-out, especially for a first annual event. The atmosphere was festive and positive, the food was wonderful and the presentation represented our heroes well. It was fantastic to see such a coordinated effort - the health care community out in full force and, of course, a host of sponsors who helped make it possible. Kudos to Alliance for Health for putting together a one-of-a-kind event and rallying so many different people to take part. And a special thank you to Kim Bode who worked tirelessly on the event planning and promotion to ensure the evening was a success. Our heroes would never expect such recognition, yet they are all so deserving and it touches my heart to see it actually happen.

It was an honor to participate and, in some small way, show my personal support and appreciation. It certainly reminded me how we can all do our part to make a difference. By rallying for the greater good, we have the opportunity to leave a positive footprint in the world; no matter how great or small. Thank you to our very own West Michigan health heroes for setting an outstanding example."

The winners of this first West Michigan Salutes Health Heroes are below.

Every Day Hero: Pam & Terry Roach
Innovation Hero: Care Resources
Regional Hero: Mary Free Bed Guild
Rising Hero: Leslie King-Borrego
Unsung Hero: Margaret Howard
Organizational Hero: West Michigan Therapy Dogs

To read the nomination letters for all of the winners, click here.

* All pictures are courtesy Grand Rapids Social Diary/photographer Tim Motley