Pandemic Heroes Award

It is Leapfrog's distinct honor to be able to recognize those who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to patient safety amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Health care workers and facility leadership are the fiber of America’s health care system, which has never been more evident than now. The pandemic reminds us all how much we depend on their courage and caring at our most vulnerable moments. These heroes have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to patient safety even during a worldwide crisis.

The Leapfrog Group is pleased to honor the following as Pandemic Heroes:

Sergio Alvarez, RN, Coral Gables Hospital in Miami, Florida: Leapfrog Pandemic Hero of the Year in the category of individual heroes. The committee noted that Sergio demonstrated a steadfast willingness to put the best interests and welfare of others above his own. During the midst of this crisis, he provided his personal cell phone number to patients and families, carefully explained test results, and helped to minimize fear and uncertainty.

Englewood Health in Englewood, New Jersey: Leapfrog Pandemic Hero of the Year in the category of teams of heroes. The committee selected this hospital based on its myriad approaches to communicating the importance of social distancing, partnering with first responders, making multiple daily calls to the families of patients, and supporting staff needs, including mental health support and financial assistance. Deserving special recognition are key leaders including Denise Arzoomanian, MSN, RN, CEN, Director of Nursing for Critical Care, as well as the 6 Dean and COVID-19 Physician Liaison and Patient and Family Engagement Teams.

Leapfrog also recognizes the following for Special Recognition for Pandemic Heroism in 2020

Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital - Intensive Care Unit Richmond, Virginia Brooklyn Hospital Center - Executive Leadership Team Brooklyn, New York Doctors Hospital of Sarasota Sarasota, Florida	Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital	Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
Holzer Health System COVID Crisis Team Gallipolis, Ohio MemorialCare COVID-19 Command Center Fountain Valley, California Meritus Health COVID-19 Response Team Hagerstown, Maryland	Memorial Care Command Center	Meritus Health
Natividad Salinas, California RWJ Barnabas Health Patient Experience Team New Jersey UnityPoint Health Marshalltown Hospital Marshalltown, Iowa West Jefferson Medical Center Marrero, Louisiana	Natividad	RWJ Barnabas

Amy Cartwright, Infection Control Practitioner, Sentara Albemarle Medical Center Elizabeth City, NC Angela Bonakoske, RN, Infection Control Nurse, Englewood Community Hospital Englewood, FL Barb Grabenbauer, RN, CIC, Infection Prevention, UnityPoint Health Marshalltown Hospital Marshalltown, Iowa Barbara Kalasunas, RN, Employee Health Nurse, Florida Medical Center Lauderdale Lakes, FL	Amy Cartwright, Sentara Albemarle Medical Center	Barbara Kalasunas, Florida Medical Center & North Shore Medical Center
James Kravec, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, Mercy Health – Youngstown North Lima, OH JP Valin, MD, System Chief Clinical Officer, SCL Health System Broomfield, CO Gil Diesel, Manager of Infection Prevention, Mercy Hospital St. Louis St. Louis, MO Mary Anne Usher, Administrative Director of Emergency Services and Nursing Administration, Florida Medical Center Lauderdale Lakes, FL	JP Valin, SCL Health System	Mary Anne Usher, Florida Medical Center
Nishant Anand, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, BayCare Health System Clearwater, FL Pablo Mora, Market Director of Infection Prevention, Florida Medical Center Lauderdale Lakes, FL Stephen Feagins, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, Mercy Health Cincinnati, OH Vasantha Kondamundi, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Brooklyn Hospital Center Brooklyn, NY	Nishant Anand, BayCare Health System	Pablo Mora, Florida Medical Center & North Shore Medical Center