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OUR TRUE HEROES

Health services workers are the people who will most likely be there during a crises and at the end of life. They are there when there is mental or physical pain, tragedy, and through just about every aspect of suffering. For most of these workers, money is not the only motivation, or they would not stay with these professions.

The front line health caregivers and volunteers are the lining that holds the welfare of our society together. They are 'Our True Heroes.'
They work with whoever is placed in front of them in a non-discriminating, open-minded supportive way. They value humanity. They show up.
They care.

I have had the opportunity to experience the endless commitment of healthcare workers and public servants through my work as a yoga teacher and psychotherapist. The need for more committed personnel is growing as the baby boomers age and America learns to improve its integration skills into a global village. After all, who will get a call in the face of tragedy? It is for this reason that the true hero award committee chose to shine light on the American Red Cross volunteers and Hospice of the North Shore.

The following individuals have been chosen for "Our True Heroes Award for 2004": Ron Kosciak, Bill Corliss, Bill Kachinsky, Ken Warnock, Carol Tye, Jorge Reyes, and Kelli Mahoney. Nominations were submitted by people from different organizations.

The first winner was Ron Kosciak, nominated by Karen Carney (Vice President of Marketing and Business development at Hospice), he is a home health aide for Hospice of the North Shore. In the past, he had a profile job and was successful. He chose to leave that profession in order to make a difference in the healthcare area. And according to many sources, he has. Ron works with terminally ill people in the final season of their life. Ron is described as having great reverence for every life that he's served. He does not feel comfortable with attention, so his wish is to share this award with his peers, the caregivers, who so selflessly give of themselves to serve others. Ron wants to shine the light on his chosen profession, so that home health aides and nursing assistants will gain attention and share in this recognition. He feels that he is not the only one, there are so many who give. Ron is certified in hospice and palliative care, putting him in elite group of caregivers across the nation. Ron is an example of what the true nature of being human is about, opening the heart to love and compassion, and service to others.

Janice Wilson, North Shore Area director of the American Red Cross submitted the second "Our True Heroes Award nominees from the
North Shore Area Transportation Program volunteers. This program consists of volunteers who drive people from home to their medical appointments. The clients who are driven have absolutely no other means of transportation. They assist people who may or may not be elderly, handicapped, or disabled. The Red Cross frequently receives notes or phone calls from clients, medical personnel praising the volunteers' courtesy, conscientiousness, and commitment. We would like to thank the volunteers Bill Corliss, Bill Kachinsky, Ken Warnock, Carol Tye, Jorge Reyes, and Kelli Mahoney for being "Our True Heroes" by giving of themselves to serve others.

Deborah Kako, director/owner of the Alternative Therapy Center of Peabody, with the support of David Hall and Dermot Jinks of the Peabody Chamber of Commerce, Bernard Horowitz of the Peabody Board of Health, and Jacquelyn Galluzzi, registered nurse; have received 15 nominations for 'Our True Heroes' award. The following local businesses contributed gift certificates and/or cash to the recipients of "Our True Heroes Award for 2004": the Alternative Therapy Center of Peabody, the Marriott Hotel, Northeast Trains, Roseanne's Hair Salon, Arthur Gordon Realty, Stacy's Skin Care, Top Nails, Mino's Roast Beef, Special Teas, Dr. Peicott Foot Care, Petrillo's Restaurant, Ladies Workout Express, Dermot Jinks' Family Chiropractic, Dr. Todd Buckley, Chiropractor, Border's Books, Santoro's Sub Shop, Men's Warehouse, Kappy's Liquors, Bugaboo Creek REstaurant, Super Fitness, Century House Restaurant, Kelly's Roast Beef, Richter Colella Studio-Photography, Outback Steak House, Healing Spirit/Reiki, New England Award & Trophies, Dorsi's Bakery, and Wellspring /Acupuncture.

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Dear Members of the North Shore Community,

It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to honor and support our local community health service workers (the people who would respond in the event of a disaster or terrorist attack).

An award committee consisting of Deborah Kako, licensed psychotherapist, owner of The Alternative Therapy Center of Peabody; Dave Hall, director of The Peabody Chamber of Commerce; Bernard Horowitz, director of The Peabody Board of Health; and Dermot Jinks, owner, Peabody Family Chiropractic, will choose two outstanding caretakers from those nominated to receive over $2,000 in gift certificates and cash and be recognized during the 2004 holiday season for being a "True Hero."

Nominations will be made by the general public, businesses, and health organizations. Example of recipients are "Our True Heroes," such as: Nurses/doctors, all medical personnel, social workers, police, fire fighters, psychotherapists, public servants, emergency respond personnel, postal workers, veterinarians and their assistants. "Caring for our caretakers" is the theme for the award.

Nominations should include the name, company, address and phone number of the person being nominated; the type of work the nominee does, and the number of years the nominee has served in the career. Nominations should tell why the person is being nominated and include specific examples of their service or how they make a difference. Nominations should also include the name, address, and phone number of the person writing the nomination.

The Alternative Therapy Center will host an award dinner for the two recipients in January.

Nominees sought for health service awards Click for larger image	Winners of Our True Heroes Award named. Click for larger image
Red Cross Volunteers Photo by: Richter Collella Studios 978-531-8941 Click for larger image	Michael Bonfanti Mayor of Peabody, MA --- Tony Picano Council at Red Cross --- Allison Kilcoyne Nurse Practioner City of Peabody Yoga ATC Teacher
Olive Burkinshaw Dietary Worker from Radius Healthcare Center of Danvers for 23 years	Dr HArvey Zarren MD nominated by Many for sharing the gift of love and hope
Our true hero nominee Antoinette Lavino Rph Bcop Director of Pharmacy North Shore Cancer Center Peabody, MA.	A supporting Professional who is a true hero Liz Soc Corso RN MN CS Beverly Hospital Coordinator PHP Program out patient psych services
Jamie Wilson of Red Cross and David Hill of the Peabody Chamber of Commerce sharing closing thoughts	"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose" This is displayed service by Ron Kosciak Home Healthaide Hospice of North Shore
Dale Lemure/ Hospice worker Mayer Michael Bonfanti of Peabody Ron Kosciak/ Hospice worker	Dr. Harvey Zarren (Retired Cardiologist) leading the True Heroes Healings Circle
An ending hug with pioneer Dr. Harvey Zarren