Past Award Winners
AHF’s Award program honors operators from accross the country for exemplary contributions to our industry accross various categories. Use the lists below to view our past award winners and then be sure to nominate someone for the coming year! Award winners are recognized at the Annual Conference each year.
Navigate through past winners using the links below:
2022 Award Winners
| Benchmarking | Wren Roberts – click here for their video Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA |
| Chapter of the Year | Philadelphia/South Jersey Chapter – click here for their video |
| Exemplary Leadership | Angelo Mojica Johns Hopkins Health System | Baltimore, MD |
| Future Horizon | Almarie Talavera – click here for their video JPS Health Network | Ft. Worth, TX |
| Partnership in Leadership | Randy Sparrow & Phil Kubow – click here for their video ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI |
| Spotlight | Joe Ninnemann – click here for their video Advocate Aurora Health | Campbellsport, WI |
| Lifetime Achievement | Tom Thaman – click here for their video Retired, Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN |
| Making a Difference | Danielle Mason – click here for their video The Middleby Corporation | FL |
| Presidential Special Service | Angela O’Neill Hunterdon Medical Center | Hunterdon, NJ |
2021 Award Winners
| Benchmarking | Heather Duffy – click here for their video JFK Medical Center | Edison, NJ |
| Chapter of the Year | New Jersey Chapter – click here for their video |
| Exemplary Leadership | Angela O’Neill – click here for their video Hunterdon Medical Center | Hunterdon, NJ |
| Future Horizon | Alicia Preston – click here for their video Rogue Valley Manor | Medford, OR |
| Partnership in Leadership | Seth Grant & Lois Dennison – click here for their video Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN |
| Spotlight | Erica Block – click here for their video Rush University Medical Center | |
| Sustainability | Gina Sadowski – click here for their video Seattle Children’s Hospital | Seattle, WA |
| Lifetime Achievement | Martha Rardin – click here for their video Hendricks Regional Health | Danville, IN |
| Making a Difference | Ralph Goldbeck – click here for their video Kitchens to Go by mobile modular | Fresno, CA |
| Presidential Special Service | Cyndi Roberts Saint Joseph Memorial Hospital | Murphysboro, IL Tim Schoonmaker Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA |
2020 Award Winners
| Chapter of the Year | Philadelphia South Jersey Chapter – Click here for their video |
| Exemplary Leadership | Neal Lavender – click here for their video JPS Health Network | Fort Worth, TX |
| Future Horizon | Brian Dixson – click here for their video Geisinger Health System | Coal Township, PA |
| Partnership in Leadership | Joe Archambeault – click here for their video Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA |
| Spotlight | Kevin Vos – click here for their video Spectrum Health | Grand Rapids, MI |
| Sustainability | Rochelle Drexler – click here for their video Aspirus Wausau Hospital | Wausau, WI |
| Lifetime Achievement | Dave Reeves – click here for their video Lee Health | Fort Myers, FL |
| Making a Difference | Annemarie Vaupel – click here for their video Hormel Foods Corporation | Austin, MN |
| Presidential Special Service | Eric Eisenberg Rogue Valley Manor | Medford, OR Martha Rardin Hendricks Regional Health | Danville, IN |
2019 Award Winners
| Benchmarking | Mary Houston Mercy Joplin | Joplin, MO |
| Chapter of the Year | Wisconsin Chapter |
| Exemplary Leadership | Timothy Schoonmaker Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA |
| Future Horizon | Andrew Bergman ProHealth Care System | Waukesha, WI |
| Partnership in Leadership | Kathy Kesling Franciscan Health | Michigan City, IN |
| Spotlight | Seth Grant Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN |
| Sustainability | Dawn Cascio The Valley Hospital | Ridgewood, NJ |
| Lifetime Achievement | Randy Sparrow ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI |
| Making a Difference | Rob Geile Ali Group | Vernon Hills, IL |
| Presidential Special Service | Dave Reeves St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | Memphis, TN Joanne McMillian Saint Clare’s Hospital | Denville, NJ |
2018 Award Winners
| Benchmarking | Randy Sparrow and the ProHealth Care Team – click here for their video ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI |
| Chapter of the Year | New York Chapter |
| Exemplary Leadership | Thomas Thaman – click here for their video Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN |
| Future Horizon | Michael Kasperek – click here for their video Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Partnership in Leadership | Cheryl Koch & Linda Paren – click here for their video Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center | Baltimore, MD |
| Spotlight | Margaret Kipe, Kristen Brudereck & Rachael Wehn – click here for their video Reading Hospital | West Reading, PA |
| Lifetime Achievement | Tony Almeida – click here for their video Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Making a Difference | Christine Guyott – click here for their video Rippe Associates | Minneapolis, MN |
| Presidential Special Service | Bill Marks – For his dedication and efforts in leading the Membership, Organization, and Dues task force. His work led to a successful relaunch of our membership and dues structure for operator members. Hennepin Healthcare | Minneapolis, MN Cindy Parker – For her dedication and efforts in leading the Membership, Organization, and Dues task force. Her work has led to membership data capturing efforts that will lead to a better understanding of our operator membership. Basic American Foods | Mill Valley, CA Randy Sparrow – For leading our conference attendance promotion efforts on behalf of the Board. ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI |
2017 Award Winners
| Benchmarking | Steve Cerullo – click here for their video Geisinger Medical Center | Wilkes Barre, PA |
| Chapter of the Year – NEW! | New Jersey |
| Exemplary Leadership | Randy Sparrow – click here for their video ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI |
| Future Horizon | Greg Andrews – click here for their video Geisinger Lewistown Hospital | Lewistown, PA |
| Partnership in Leadership | Cheryl Shimmin – click here for their video Kettering Health Network | Kettering, OH |
| Spotlight | Jennifer Larson & Sara Ashbeck – click here for their video Gundersen Health System | La Crosse, WI Mark Dunn & Kas Logan – click here for their video Providence Health & Services | Portland, OR |
| Lifetime Achievement | Dan Henroid – click here for their video UCSF Health | San Francisco, CA |
| Making a Difference | Mark Lewandowski – click here for their video General Mills | Minneapolis, MN |
| Presidential Special Service | Christine Guyott – Leading the development of the new 2017 Sponsorship and Marketing Program; Participation on the Technology Advisory Board Rippe Associates | Minneapolis, MN Rob Geile – Leading the new 2017 Sponsorship and Marketing Program Ali Group | Vernon Hills, IL Nicole Charbonneau – Serving on the Technology Advisory Board US Army | Gatesville, TX Dan Henroid – Serving on the Technology Advisory Board UCSF Health | San Francisco, CA Matt Otchet – Serving on the Technology Advisory Board Computrition | West Hills, CA Joanne McMillian – Participating in the AHF Financial Transaction Saint Clare’s Hospital | Denville, NJ Cyndi Roberts – Participating in the AHF Financial Transaction St. Joseph Memorial Hospital | Murphysboro, IL Cynthia Parker – Inaugural leaders for AMG (Association Management Firm) transition Basic American Foods | Mill Valley, CA Randall Sparrow – Inaugural leaders for AMG (Association Management Firm) transition ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI |
2016 Award Winners
| Benchmarking | Jeanine Drake – click here for their video Flagstaff Medical Center | Flagstaff AZ |
| Exemplary Leadership | Veronica McLymont – click here for their video Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | New York, NY |
| Future Horizon | David Edwards – click here for their video Elmhurst Memorial Hospital | Lombard, IL Mary Ruzzi – click here for their video Geisinger Health System | Scranton, PA |
| Partnership in Leadership | Angela O’Neill – click here for their video Hunterdon Healthcare | Flemington, NJ |
| Spotlight | Becky Amt and Evelyn Sexton – click here for their video IU Health Bloomington Hospital | Bloomington, IN |
| Lifetime Achievement | Julie Jones – click here for her video OSU Wexner Medical Center | Columbus, OH |
| Making a Difference | Maureen Leugers – click here for video Gordon Food Service | Grand Rapids, MI |
| Presidential Special Service | Larry Altier – Presented on behalf of AHF at the National Restaurant Show “Non-Commercial” segment workshop Lee Memorial Health System | Fort Myers, FL Mary Kimbrough – For her work with serving as a resource and assisting the Conference Planning Committee with planning the pre-conference activities at the annual conference. Mary Angela Miller – Presented on behalf of AHF at the National Restaurant Show “Non-Commercial” segment workshop Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center | Columbus, OH Drew Patterson – Presented on behalf of AHF at the National Restaurant Show “Non-Commercial” segment workshop) Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center | Columbus, OH Marty Rothschild – Along with Laura Watson led the vetting process of determining if a new association management firm was needed and what company would lead our organization. Aladdin Temp-Rite | Hendersonville, TN Sandra Sydnor – For her work with introducing healthcare as a viable employment option within college & university hospitality programs. Purdue University | Lafayette, IN Ann Travis – For her work along with the efforts of the Texas AHF Chapter to assist as host to the 2016 Annual Conference in Dallas and make our attendees feel welcomed. Children’s Medical Center Dallas | Dallas, TX Laura Watson – Along with Marty Rothschild led the vetting process of determining if a new association management firm was needed and what company would lead our organization. Intermountain Healthcare | Provo, UT |
2015 Award Winners
| Benchmarking | Marge Kipe – click here for their video Reading Hospital | Reading, PA |
| Exemplary Leadership | Tony Almeida Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Future Horizon | Timothy Gee Robert Wood Johnson University | New Brunswick NJ |
| Partnership in Leadership | Deedra Hoffart – click here for their video Avista Adventist Hospital | Louisville, CO |
| Spotlight | Michael Atanasio – click here for their video Overlook Medical Center | Springfield, NJ Ami Bhow – click here for their video UCSF Medical Center | San Francisco, CA |
| Lifetime Achievement | Beth Yesford – click here for her video Providence Hospital | Washington, DC |
| Making a Difference | Todd Griffith – click here for his video Alto-Shaam, Inc. | Menomonee Falls, WI |
| Presidential Special Service | David Reeves – He demonstrated excellent leadership on the conference planning team and his initiatives to make new members part of the AHF family, as well as sharing information on the Listserv. Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare | Elmhurst, IL Laura Watson – She served as a mentor to AHF President Lisette Coston, developed a succession planning tool for the national board and worked on the strategic plan Intermountain Healthcare | Provo, UT |
2014 Award Winners
| Exemplary Leadership | Joyce Hagen-Flint HCA West Florida Division | Largo, FL |
| Future Horizon | Nicholas Mercogliano Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Partnership in Leadership | Martha Rardin – click here for their video Hendricks Regional Health | Danville, IN Thomas Thaman – click here for their video Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN |
| Spotlight | Crystal McVey – click here for her video Huntsville Hospital | Huntsville, AL Lisa Poggas and Daniel Skay – click here for their video Castle Rock Adventist Hospital | Castle Rock, CO |
| Lifetime Achievement | Patti Oliver – click here for her video UCLA Medical Center | Los Angeles, CA |
| Making a Difference | Dick Hynes – click here for his video Hobart Corporation | Troy, OH |
| Presidential Special Service | Elizabeth Boone – She was a major player in the implementation of the revised Benchmarking EXPRESS™ program throughout the first year Aultman Hospital | Canton, OH Nicole Charbonneau – She very active in keeping the education committee busy throughout the year with establishing new member benefits including the Regional Networking Meetings San Antonio Military Medical Center | San Antonio, TX Beth Yesford – She led a team of leaders to get AHF’s brand in front of the attendees at the ACHE Congress Providence Hospital | Washington, DC |
2013 Award Winners
| Exemplary Leadership | Eric Eisenberg Swedish Health Services – First Hill | Seattle, WA Betty Perez NYU Langone Medical Center | New York, NY |
| Future Horizon | Aatul Jain Saint Clare’s Health System | Denville, NJ |
| Partnership in Leadership | Operator Julie Jones and Administrators Randy Allen, Kent Hess & Mary Angela Miller – click here for their video Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center | Columbus, OH |
| Spotlight | Dan Henroid – click here for his video University of California – San Francisco Medical Center | San Francisco, CA Angelo Mojica – click here for his video UNC Hospitals | Chapel Hill, NC |
| Lifetime Achievement | Denisa Cate Henry County Medical Center | Paris, TN |
| Making a Difference | Cindy Parker Basic American Foods | Walnut Creek, CA |
| Presidential Special Service | Dexter Hancock – Led team to create the AHF Standards for the Operation of Food and Nutrition Services in Acute Care Hospitals in the United States Retired from DCH Health System and currently consulting | Tuscaloosa, AL Scott Saklad – Helped to spearhead a new member offering, the S.O.Lution Center Computrition, Common CENTS, and DFM – Dietary Food Management | West Hills, CA Andrew Shakman – Helped to spearhead a new member offering, the S.O.Lution Center LeanPath, Inc. | Portland, OR |
2012 Award Winners
| Exemplary Leadership | Becky Amt Indiana University Health Morgan Hospital | Martinsville, IN |
| Future Horizon | Yusie Kim NYU Langone Medical Center | New York, NY |
| Partnership in Leadership | Operator Jim Behnke and Administrator Jay Dennard – The team converted the facility from contract management and added room service. Gwinnett Medical Center | Lawrenceville, GA |
| Spotlight | Steve Howell – He created a flexible part-time workforce from inexperienced high school students. Lexington Medical Center | West Columbia, SC Tom Thaman – He assisted in the design and implementation of Café Soleil Wishard Health Services | Indianapolis, IN |
| Lifetime Achievement | Laura Watson Utah Valley Regional Medical Center | Provo, UT |
| Making a Difference | Marty Rothschild Aladdin Temp-Rite | Hendersonville, TN |
| Presidential Special Service | Todd Griffith – He was a member of the Alliance Committee who reached out to several associations regarding collaboration with AHF Alto-Shaam, Inc. | Westminster, MD Dan Henroid – He brought forward new ideas for membership structure and worked with Julie Jones on a plan to provide members with updated information on food safety UCSF Medical Center | San Francisco, CA Julie Jones – She represented AHF at an FDA institutional roundtable and worked with Dan Henroid on providing members with information on food safety Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University | Columbus, OH |
| Publication Award | Jim McGrody – “What We Feed Our Patients” REX Healthcare | Raleigh, NC |
2011 Award Winners
| Exemplary Leadership | Mimi Wang VA New York Harbor HC System | Brooklyn, NY |
| Future Horizon | Tamara Almquist Geisinger Marworth | Waverly, PA |
| Partnership in Leadership | Operator Angelo Mojica and Administrator Melvin Hurston – The team transitioned two retail venues to self-operation and generated a profit. University of North Carolina Hospitals | Chapel Hill, NC Operator Cyndi Roberts and Administrator Scott Seaborn – The team added room service and raised patient satisfaction scores more than 25 percentile points. Saint Joseph Memorial Hospital | Murphysboro, IL |
| Spotlight | Amy Miller – She focused on healthy food in her facility. Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital & Clinic | Prairie du Sac, WI |
| Lifetime Achievement | Kris Schroeder Swedish Health Services – First Hill | Seattle, WA |
| Making a Difference | Barbara Kane Ecolab, Inc. | Elk Grove Village, IL |
| Presidential Special Service | Marie Nelson – She focused on the operator and business partner relationship. Schwan’s Home Service, Inc. | Marshall, MN |
2010 Award Winners
| Exemplary Leadership | Mark Eggleston Overlake Hospital Medical Center | Bellevue, WA |
| Future Horizon | Cedric Junearick Hunstville Hospital | Huntsville, AL |
| Partnership in Leadership | Operator Robert Darrah and Administrator Jerry Joyce – The team converted facilities from contract management to self-operated. Legacy Retirement Communities | Lincoln, NE |
| Spotlight | Dan Henroid – He created a convenience retailing business with two concepts. University of California San Francisco Medical Center | San Francisco, CA Khaleed Khan – He assisted in the development of the healthy Trendz café. Alberta Health Services | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Annemarie Price – She assisted in the development of the “Waste Watchers” program. VA Medical Center | Martinsburg, WV |
| Lifetime Achievement | Deanne Carlisle Portland VAMC | Portland, OR Bruce Thomas Geisinger Health System | Danville, PA |
| Making a Difference | Marie Nelson Schwan’s Home Service, Inc. | Marshall, MN |
| Presidential Special Service | Marge Beasley – She worked on the AHF bylaws (Retired) Bloomington Hospital | Bloomington, IN Mary Spicer – She worked on the AHF bylaws Texas Health Resources | Plano, TX Walter Thurnhofer – He worked on the AHF bylaws University of Washington Medical Center | Seattle, WA |
| Publication Award | Tim Bauman – “The Food Service Managers Tune-up Book” Wood County Hospital | Bowling Green, OH |