Two groups of people constitute Heroes in Health in the current climate: Those who go out of their way to provide exceptional delivery of health-care services, and those who go out of their way to minimize the likelihood that they’ll need to those same services.
Both groups are recognized herein with Ingram’s 2012 Heroes in Health awards. Once again, we combine our annual tribute to Heroes in Healthcare with our coverage of the Fittest Execs and Fittest Companies Challenge. We’re confident that, after reading about what each cohort has contributed personally to making the Kansas City area a healthier place, you’ll find something far more positive at work than is normally reflected in headlines regarding health-care issues and the status of our collective fitness.
This year’s Heroes in Healthcare have set standards for their health-care contributions in seven categories, including the long-established awards for work in administration, nursing, professional staff achievement, auxiliary staff contributions, volunteer work and lifetime service. The newest classification for contributions flies under the banner of medical missions, recognizing the efforts of people who don’t just go out of their way, they go out of the country to promote improved health among mankind.
For a third straight year, we also provide in-depth coverage of how the Fittest Execs and Fittest Companies Challenge is using the exemplary efforts of C-level executives and staffers alike to move the needle on employee health care by donning the workout gear and taking charge of their own health. You’ll read about corporate teams that embraced the concept by earning titles of Fittest Team and Most Improved Team, as well as individual accounts from those who walked away with the crowns for fittest and most improved men and women in two age groups.
We salute the honorees in each category. Their efforts have indeed given us a healthier Kansas City—as well as the inspiration to keep building on that foundation.
