Brevard Heart Foundation ‘Heart of a Hero’ Honorees Announced, Awards Gala Set March 24

public is invited to attend to support these amazing healthcare professionals

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Healthcare is one of the leading industries in Brevard County, and many of these unsung heroes go without recognition of the dedication and compassion they bring to their patients on a daily basis. Brevard Heart Foundation is changing that as it will be honoring and celebrating 15 awardees from the Space Coast at its second Annual Heart of a Hero Awards Gala on March 24 at the Hilton Melbourne at Rialto Place.

Tickets and additional gala information, as well as information about the work and mission of Brevard Heart Foundation, can be found at BrevardHeartFoundation.org.

While other healthcare events will typically recognize healthcare leadership and administrators, Brevard Heart Foundation wanted to hear the stories of those who were ‘hands-on’ and instrumental in impacting patients’ lives.

Therefore, nominations for the Heart of a Hero Awards were open to the public. People were invited to share the stories of how local healthcare professionals made a difference in their lives or the lives of friends, family, or community members.

Nomination stories were shared with a selection committee to make the award decisions before Foundation board members traveled around the county with heart balloons to surprise the awardees, in person when possible, with the news that they had been selected and would be honored at the upcoming gala.

This year’s Heart of a Hero awardees are Linda Battle (Island Health and Rehab), Theresa Carney (Health First), Marcilla Dupree (St Francis Reflections Lifestage Care), Fanny Estinvil (Cleveland Clinic), Joy Hackett (Health First), Joe Helme (Melbourne Terrace Rehabilitation /Lake Nona Medical Center), Adalberto Henriquez (Space Coast Volunteers in Medicine), Lillian Holder (Health First), Paul Kolarik (VITAS Healthcare) Sol Madlambayan (VITAS Healthcare), Londa Maitland (St.Francis Reflections Lifestage Care), Felicia Prince (Competent Operational Testing Group), Mohan Shah (VITAS Healthcare), Sarah Shaw (Brevard County Jail), and Kimberly Sloman (Florida Institute for Technology/Scott Center for Autism).

The Space Coast community has already begun rallying around these healthcare professionals and the mission of Brevard Heart Foundation, which supports local healthcare initiatives and invests in the future of quality healthcare through its annual scholarship program for Brevard students seeking healthcare degrees and certifications.

Simi Rama, director of Mandala Foundation, the event’s Title Sponsor, understands the importance of supporting healthcare and the people serving our community, stating, “During the recent COVID pandemic, so many of our healthcare professionals went above and beyond the call of duty to save lives.

During times that were hard, emotionally trying, and full of unexpected challenges, our healthcare professionals stepped up and conquered unforeseen tasks that positively impacted every member of our community.

Mandala Foundation would like to honor and support these heroes in Brevard as it fulfills its mission of supporting human needs worldwide.

“We are honored to be able to give back to those who have given so much to all of us,”  said Rama.

Other sponsors, including Health First, VITAS Healthcare, Care Advantage, Artemis IT, Rock Paper Simple, and Space Coast Daily, have supported this Gala event since its inception because of the positive and uplifting impact it has had on the local healthcare community, especially during these difficult times.

The awardees will be recognized at the gala on the evening of March 24 at the Hilton Melbourne at Rialto Place. Tickets are $75, and the public is invited to attend to support these amazing healthcare professionals who make a difference on the Space Coast. Businesses and individuals are invited to become event sponsors and receive additional benefits.

Tickets and additional gala information, as well as information about the work and mission of Brevard Heart Foundation, can be found at BrevardHeartFoundation.org.

The mission of the Brevard Heart Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, is to improve and promote healthcare for Brevard County citizens through programs that target identified community needs.

The foundation’s focus is to help ensure the community has quality healthcare by creating and supporting local healthcare initiatives, as well as investing in the future of quality healthcare by supporting healthcare professionals through their education.

In the last 50 years, Brevard Health Foundation has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct aid to individuals. Donors can be proud knowing that they are not just helping those in need of quality healthcare and health services today but are also changing the lives of students working to serve in healthcare fields and ensuring the local community has access to outstanding care for years to come.

To learn more or to support their mission, CLICK HERE.

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