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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.

2023 AHF Award Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award

AHF’s Lifetime Achievement Award is our Association’s highest honor awarded to our members. This award celebrates the leadership and spirit of Jacques Bloch and Angelo Gagliano, our legacy co-founders. Jacques Bloch served Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York for thirty-seven years. He was a POW in WWII and a winner of the IFMA Gold Plate. Mr. Bloch helped create the American Society for Healthcare Foodservice Administrators (ASHFSA) organization and served as its first president. Angelo Gagliano was also a leader in ASHFSA. He served New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center. Mr. Gagliano’s vision was to find effective and innovative methods to combat the incursion of contract management companies into hospital food service. He teamed up with Mr. Bloch to form The National Society for Healthcare Foodservice Management (HFM). Both of these visionary leaders initiated intense and rigorous changes to our industry and we honor operators career by highlighting them with this prestigious award.

Awarded To: Mary Cooley & Tom Cooley

Click Here to view their Award Video

The 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Mary Cooley and Tom Cooley. A unique submission, this husband-and-wife team have been relentless in their work for AHF and as an advocate for self-operated foodservice as the greatest value to our healthcare organizations. 

Tom had the great fortune to begin his career in the mid 1980’s and was able to get to know both Jacques and Angelo almost immediately by virtue of being on the east coast and because the healthcare foodservice community was so closely knit.  Mary had begun her foodservice career a few years earlier than Tom and was already an Assistant Director at one of Philadelphia’s largest acute care hospitals. 

Mary knew all the power players in Philadelphia foodservice and made it possible for Tom to get to know them as well. Upon graduation in 1986, Mary would leave Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to work for Don Marsh at Pennsylvania Hospital (Ben Franklin’s Hospital) and Tom would go to work for Pam Ferguson at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. A year later, in September of 1987, they would cater their own wedding with most of Philadelphia South Jersey Foodservice royalty in attendance. Since then, there has not been a time that Tom and Mary Cooley have not been actively engaged in service to AHF’s founding associations: American Society for Healthcare Foodservice Administrators (ASHFSA), National Society for Healthcare Foodservice Management (HFM), and AHF itself, or training and mentoring students as future managers or clinicians. 

To ensure they did not overlap their leadership, Mary and Tom served as leaders at varying times throughout the years while also trading off conference attendance to ensure childcare. Mary became President of the Chapter in 1997. This allowed Tom to serve as Lehigh Valley Dietetic Association President from 1998 to 1999 and become Philadelphia ASHFSA’s President for Y2K.  In a reversal of sorts, Tom was awarded ASHFSA Trendsetter Award in 2005 and Mary received hers in 2009. 

Despite not being officers, Tom and Mary did conference planning, member recruitment, wrote articles for “The Innovator” so they were never far from the decision-making process at the national level.  They also had the good fortune to be on the Rolodex’s of Donna Boss, Gerry White, Ruby Puckett, Paul King, Karen Weisberg, John Lawn, and Beth Lorenzini.  Relationships with the industry’s top journalists kept them close to the action at all times. In the meantime, Tom and Mary had done their fair share of mentoring the next generation of healthcare foodservice leaders. Tim Bentzel, Kim Norton, Carolyn Tobin, Brian Bachman, George Cranmer, Scott Greenley, Erik Schunk, Mary Ruzzi, Dennis Brennan and Joe Moleski were eager to jump to the national stage.

In September of 2021, Tom and Mary released a book in conjunction with Karen Eich Drummond “Foodservice Operations & Management: Concepts and Applications” which was written for Nutrition and Dietetics students in undergraduate programs to provide the knowledge and learning activities required by ACEND (Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics Didactic Programs) 2017 Standards.

Tom and Mary attempt to be good volunteers and capable servant leaders whenever possible. They have held nearly every leadership position in their local chapter and multiple national level positions. Throughout the years they have consistently served on national and chapter level committees contributing their knowledge to other foodservice operators and helping to improve and further the work of AHF and protect self-operated facilities. “Whatever you need!” is a common and favorite response from them.  Their focus has always been to provide themselves and their peers with the most current and relevant continuing education possible and to keep capable food service professionals in the pipeline for the future.

Making A Difference Award

The Making A Difference Award is one of our highest honors. This important distinction is given to an individual in honor and memory of the beloved John Cabot and is the association’s top honor for both business partners and media. It is presented to someone who has made significant contributions to AHF in the long tradition of steadfast and selfless industry leadership and volunteerism.

Awarded To: Karen Horsley, Sr. Director for Healthcare & Nutrition Marketing, Sysco

Click Here to view her Award Video

AHF is thrilled to award the 2023 Making A Difference Award to Karen Horsley from Sysco Corporation. Karen has been a longtime, steadfast, member of AHF, beginning her membership with AHF’s legacy associations the American Society for Healthcare Foodservice Administrators (ASHFSA) and National Society for Healthcare Foodservice Management (HFM). She was a member when the Associations merged together to form the Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) in 2009. From 2010-2011 she served on the inaugural AHF Industry Advisory Board (IAB). From there she remained involved in the Association, and eventually rejoined AHF leadership as a member of the IAB in 2018. Throughout her years with AHF she has always been generous with her knowledge and expertise and worked to help AHF grow its operator base and the knowledge and tools it has to offer those operators.

Karen is more than simply a member of the IAB. She has been a friend and mentor to so many AHF members, both operators and vendors, throughout the years. In addition to being an advocate for senior living and acute care operators, Karen also has an excellent sense of the healthcare market. She connects with other business partners and is collaborative in the work she contributed to AHF. AHF’s current Industry Advisory Board Chair, Georgie Shockey from Ruck-Shockey Associates, who nominated Karen, noted that “She asks the questions others are only thinking. The committees she has served on have been enriched by her contributions and insights each of the last 20+ years.

Exemplary Leadership Award

This award will be bestowed upon the operator member who best reflects the commitment to operational excellence that Don Marsh brought to healthcare foodservice. Don Marsh, former president of the American Society for Healthcare Food Service Administrators (ASHFSA), was dedicated to the healthcare profession and to his colleagues. He was a longtime supporter of programs to raise the professionalism of operators in the healthcare foodservice industry and was known to contribute generously. The award will recognize member contributions in their operations as well as to regional, local chapters or networking meetings.

Awarded To: Ryan Conklin, UNC Rex Healthcare

Click Here to view his Award Video

Ryan started his career in healthcare food service at the age of 23. Ryan fought through a lot of adversity to find a career that he was passionate about. As a chef who landed in healthcare at an early age, he has been able to rise through the ranks, all the while never forgetting where he had come from.

He has a burning passion and drive to make healthcare foodservice better in hospitals and soon discovered early in his career that he wanted to mentor, and lead based on his experience of people and organizations that supported him along the way to achieve his career goals. He tells stories of when he first worked in healthcare, seeing people laugh at his chef coat in public because it has a hospital logo on it. He has now helped foster a culture where members of his team are praised for walking in public with their hospital log’s chef coat on and asked for recipes!

14 years ago, Ryan was one of the managers who was “handed the keys” when the clock struck midnight on the end of the former contract management company at UNC Rex. Since then, his team has been relentless, and reimagining what healthcare food can be known as. At that time, Ryan knew it was important to be heavily involved with AHF, where he could deepen his bench of colleagues. In turn, it’s these industry colleagues that have molded him into the leader that he has become.

Ryan is nationally recognized as one of the industry leaders in reimagining healthcare food. He is the first chef to become President of AHF (2021) and has made himself available to serve in multiple roles over many years to support and drive the Association of Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) forward. He is constantly speaking out on all things healthcare culinary by participating in industry related panel discussions, educational webinars and multiple articles featuring the evolution of top-quality food being produced and served within the healthcare food service space.

Some of Ryan’s accolades include North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers-Doctorate of Foodservice (2021), United States Marine Corps-Honorary Guest Chef for Camp Lejeune (2017), Triangle Business Journal, Healthcare Support Services Executive of the Year (2016), Alice Aycock Poe Center for Health Education 2013 President’s Award, Association of Healthcare Foodservice, National Culinary Champion (2012), and more.

Ryan values his role as a mentor within his organization and within the industry that he serves and will always make time to mentor a young, up and coming culinary professional or provide knowledge to an industry peer or friend that is seeking his advice.

Future Horizons Award

This award recognizes operator members who are new to management (less than 5 years) and demonstrate a desire for future growth through contributions to their hospitals or community.

Awarded To: Christopher Voorman, The House of the Good Shepherd at Riverwalk Village

Click Here to view his Award Video

Christopher is the Director of Culinary Services at The House of the Good Shepherd at Riverwalk Village in Hackettstown, New Jersey and has been in this role since March 2022. Prior to that he was a Chef at JFK Medical Center where he worked on IDDSI diet standards, vegetarian menus, and transitions throughout COVID.

When Christopher started in his current position, his employer was beginning the process of leaving a food management company and becoming a self-operated facility. Working as a change agent in his organization, Christopher has truly embraced the spirit of self-operated foodservice and has led his employer on an impressive journey to the operation they have today. With a background as both a Chef and a Registered Dietitian, Christopher is well-versed in all aspects of the operation and has utilized his varied skill set to quickly advance his management career.

Since coming on as the Director of Culinary Services at the facility, he has implemented and build new policies and procedures, opened a renovated dining room, changed purchasing groups (helping to save 15% of food costs, opening a country store for residents, and worked with housekeeping to move linens in hour to better control budget lines. Christopher has created resident ‘food committees’ to help guide menu development and created extensive ‘always available’ menus that can be personalized for each resident depending on diet restrictions.

Christopher has also worked closely with “Abilities of Northwest Jersey” that helps find job placements for individuals with disabilities. He has further helped the group expand their placements to other AHF affiliated kitchens. His facility will be hosting an event this year to raise funds for residents facing financial difficulties. They regularly work to honor and highlight local businesses and restaurants.

Christopher is an enthusiastic supporter of The Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF). He is a current board member for the AHF New Jersey Chapter and has previously served a separate term as a board member. Christopher knows the value of the resources available through AHF and has used them extensively to grow as a manager and to educate his current employer on the benefits of self-op when he was hired.

Partnership & Leadership Award

This award recognizes an operator member’s facility that demonstrates a strong commitment to self-operation and currently supports the foodservice director or foodservice administrative director.

Awarded To: David Reeves & Armando LlechU, Lee Memorial Health System

Click Here to view his Award Video

In the days before the landfall of Hurricane Ian, its course was uncertain. Lee County’s Emergency Operations Center was monitoring the storm, and many Southwest Floridians did not expect it to be a significant event. When the storm hit, the hospitals were entirely on generator power. The storm surge at one hospital resulted in all first-floor operations, including Foodservice, having to relocate upstairs as the parking lot flooded. Staff watched their cars flood, and some began to 􀋢oat in the water. The flood water started to infringe upon the building. Once the storm passed, Lee Health teams began damage assessments.

The facilities did not suffer any major damage. However, because of the loss of water pressure, due to a community infrastructure failure, three of our campuses had to evacuate patients to other hospitals across the state. The campuses never fully evacuated. The injured continued to arrive at the emergency departments, and many had to be admitted. Foodservice was a pivotal contributor to how the hospitals coped with the catastrophe.

Dealing with a crisis can make or break a relationship. David Reeves exemplified outstanding leadership during the preparation and aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Through Dave’s guidance and the support of his administrator, Armando Llecho, Food & Nutrition Services was a pivotal contributor to how the hospital dealt with the catastrophe. Mary Angela Miller noted that “The partnership of the Lee Health FSD, Dave Reeves, and COO, Armando Llechu, proved to be a bond that category-four hurricane force winds could not sever. Armando and Dave built their relationship on mutual respect and trust before the crisis. This relationship was critical to how well the Lee Health System could weather the storm.”

During the disaster, the number of meals prepared by the Food & Nutrition Services team tripled as they were responsible for feeding patients, employees, first responders and other additional personnel. Dave assisted with coordinating food and supplies with World Central Kitchen, their foodservice distributor, along with various food trucks. Through Dave’s leadership, he assured that his department’s emergency plan aligned with and supported the overall organization’s plan and had continual communication with their Incident Command Center (ICC). So much so, that they even now have an ICC specifically devoted to foodservice. Also, Dave & Armando ensured that the Food & Nutrition Services team was recognized for their hard work and that they were appreciated.

Dave & Armando are extremely deserving of the AHF Partnership in Leadership Award and are truly an excellent example for others to follow.

Spotlight Award

This award recognizes operator members who have enhanced operations through new ideas and industry trends. This may include any of the following: technology, program development, implementation, innovation, sustainability, community impact, mergers/acquisitions, and /or creative use of managing finances.

Awarded To: Caroline Parcel, Hunterdon Health

Click Here to view her Award Video

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged healthcare foodservice operators in ways they never imagined, including how to provide much needed nutrition to staff who were working long hours in stressful conditions. Solving this challenge requires empathy for staff, creativity and applying technology in a thoughtful way. Caroline Parcel and the Hunterdon Medical team checked all these boxes, and more, with their innovative approach in developing the “E-Cafe2U” app through the CBORD GET Program.

Caroline first developed a short-term approach to feeding staff that included faxing a menu, collecting orders and delivering the food. After working with her colleagues in food and nutrition services to thoughtfully research the technology options available Hunterdon was able to develop an app that not only works within its existing IT infrastructure but also allows the staff at this 178-bed hospital to order and receive food in a timely manner. In doing so, Caroline worked with Hunterdon’s two Culinary Institute of America (CIA) trained chefs to not only keep food quality at a very high level but also to overcome supply chain challenges.

On a weekly basis there was uncertainty around what food items would be available, so the challenge was providing a menu wide enough to meet everyone’s needs and narrow enough to work within the supply chain constraints. Caroline and the Hunterdon team were able to meet this challenge through thoughtful collaboration.

The project got its start by having a director who encouraged Parcel to push the envelope during such a unique moment in history. The program also leverages existing infrastructure by using Hunterdon’s room service line. And, at the same time, it keeps a steady stream of revenue within the organization while requiring only an additional 0.5 FTE. The project was so successful, in fact, that Hunterdon’s CEO is one of the most loyal users of the E-Cafe2U app.

The E-Cafe2U program has been operational for almost 2 years now and there are 554 employees enrolled on the app. During this time Caroline and her team have had over 23,0000 orders with sales of $134,000 with an average check of $5.75. The average check is higher than Hunterdon’s cafeteria average check. Many app patrons are not staff who previously purchased from the cafeteria, further growing the Hunterdon customer base. 

Caroline from day one has embraced this project and in June of 2021 was given a promotion to a newly created Retail Manager position, overseeing the E-cafe2U, cafeteria, catering and our daycare meals. Meeting the needs of multiple dietary choices, ease of ordering and delivery is key to keeping customers within the building and using our services.

Hunterdon’s Director of Nutrition Services, Angela O’Neill, had this to say about Caroline’s critical contributions to their operations “Implementing new trends and applications for the benefit of the staff of the organization is a win-win with them and administrators. Increasing revenue is a bonus but for us it is mostly to help others. Having a manager who embraces change and is engaged is awesome.”

Sustainability Award

This award recognizes operator members who implemented or continuously improved and expanded foodservice waste reduction programs on the path to sustainability.  Areas include food waste reduction, waste storing programs, composting, recycling, water conservation, improving use of reusable, and food donation programs.

Awarded To: Lisa Yeung, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer

Click Here to view her Award Video

Lisa Yeung and the sustainability initiatives at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center extend beyond just waste reduction. Lisa’s programs are large in scope and range from special plant-based menus to large-scale measurements of waste to assist with facility-wide reduction of carbon footprint. The program has been a multi-year process, and the Food & Nutrition department has partnered with other departments in the hospital to create a culture of sustainability. Lisa and her team at MSK won this award due to the scope of the project, and all that has been accomplished, and continues to set the bar for sustainability.

The program incorporated key components to meet overarching sustainability goals including sustainable sourcing, marketing and education, waste management, composting, plastic use reduction, use of biodegradable products, vendor partnerships, and menu mix management. Furthermore MSK, under Lisa’s guidance, has partnered with a variety of sources to champion positive environmental impact including the NYC DOH Health Hospital Food Initiative, Healthcare Without Harm (HCWH), The Cool Pledge, and vendors focusing on ecological impact. 

Lisa and her team have been resourceful and creative in meeting their environmental goals. They have worked with vendors to take advantage of local products and improve their environmental footprint. Some examples from over the years include:

  • Utilizing KeyGreen Software to track sustainable compliant purchases and progress.
  • Integrating local and sustainable sourcing into most vendor RFI’s, onboarding, and business reviews for food and beverage sourcing at MSK, in alignment with their leading sustainable food efforts, policies, and programs.
  •  
  • Taking part in the Certified Pledge Local with Baldor Foods. Baldor’s local pledge makes supporting local farms easy. By taking the pledge, MSK authorized Baldor’s team of expert buyers to automatically substitute items ordered with comparably priced local alternatives whenever they are available.
          • -Establishing SMARTGOALS i.e., MSK has also worked with their GPO, Vizient, to increase their spending on local food and beverage purchasing. Their purchases and vendors are reviewed throughout the year to see where they can increase their spending and provide customers and patients with the best local food and beverages.
          • -MSK also requires vendors to submit comprehensive product reports detailing the spend against each item, as well as categorization of each item as “local”, “certified sustainable”, “healthy (beverage)”, or “conventional” (local, sustainable/sustainably produced). Healthy definitions for food and beverage categorization are aligned and verified against the specific definitions provided by Practice Green Health.
          • -MSK invested in Leanpath technology to track waste
          • -They implemented an indoor Herb Cabinet
        •  

Since its inception, MSK’s sustainability programs have resulted in continuous improvement, with some anomalies from 2020-2022 due to COVID impacts. Most notably, the program has resulted in:

    •  
      • -A 22.16% drop in total food-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between 2018-2021 and a 15.47% drop in emissions per 1,000 kcal.
      • -Annual increase in spending on local and sustainability food between 2016-2022 with a 23.8% increase in spending in 2022 specifically, beating their 20% goal.
      • -Looking at the percentage of No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) meat purchased by overall weight they achieved 80.8% in 2022, 85.4% in 2021, 85% in 2020 and 86% in 2019. 75% of all antibiotics used in the US and EU is used for farm animals. Overuse of antibiotics can spawn antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a danger to MSK’s patients and staff.
      • -Installed 47 water refill stations. One station alone averted the equivalent of 55,905 bottles in the waste stream.
      • -An 11.16% drop in total meat purchased (pounds) from January to December of 2022 going from 271,711 to 241,385 pounds.
      • -Ensured that 71% of beverages offered within MSK meet the industry definitely for “healthy”.

MSK Food & Nutrition Services recognizes sustainability is beyond simple waste reduction, it compasses organization-wide business decisions made at all levels of the consumption process. Lisa and her team continue to advance their mission through partnerships, technology, education, and creativity.

Benchmarking Excellence Award

This award recognizes a healthcare facility who has used AHF Benchmarking EXPRESS™ consistently, showed improvement in KPI’s and utilized data to improve their operations.

Awarded To: Julie Meddles, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Click Here to view her Award Video

“Julie Meddles is a Benchmarking Boss.” – Jennifer K Geruntino – The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Julie Meddles and Benchmarking go hand-in-hand. Almost to the degree that it seems like a critical oversight that she has not previously been nominated for this prestigious recognition. Julie meddles has been involved in AHF’s Benchmarking Express program since before its inception starting back with AHF’s predecessor program with National Society for Healthcare Foodservice Management (HFM).

Since beginning her Benchmarking journey, she has served as the AHF Benchmarking Committee Chair served on the committee, generously mentored benchmarkers, presented benchmarking tutorials at conference and virtually, and built out AHF Benchmarking Express materials. If there was a book to be written on benchmarking (and free time to do it…!), Julie would be the lead author. She has tremendous experience and institutional knowledge of the program, its benefits, and how to communicate the information effectively to hospital leaders, both within and outside the Nutrition Department.

According to Julie Jones, former OSUWMC Nutrition Services Department Director and longtime mentor for Julie Meddles, “she is a learner and tackled benchmarking and its data analysis to communicate department financial performance and labor productivity more effectively.” From the beginning, Julie inherently understood the value of being able to use the data from Benchmarking Express to communicate financial performance and labor productivity to hospital administrators, the finance team, and department leadership. She also has the business acumen to use the data to tell a story. Data people love data, but Julie’s ability to support her story with data makes it accessible to even those who don’t consider themselves “data people.”

Over the years, Julie has used Benchmarking Express to trend department performance in multiple categories to monitor department financials, discover problem areas, and identify and remedy areas of opportunity. When food cost trends up, Julie can readily see it through Benchmarking Express and challenge the team to bring it back to neutral. Julie and her team used the data to confirm their focus and identify areas for improvement such as Floorstock. As a result, they formed a workgroup tasked with reducing the items patient care units can order for their galleys. She has been able to highlight the impacts of staffing challenges. She displayed the decrease in worked hours per meal overtime and the impact in FTEs relative to meal volume. This allowed her to show and explain the metrics via AHF Benchmarking to Ohio State leaders who were then willing to approve the lines the department desperately needed to replace.

Julie uses Benchmarking data with all levels of administrators and staff who are interested and/or compelled to listen. Whether in the format of a Peer Best Practice presentation, quarterly Operational Report Out for senior leaders, or monthly QAPI scorecards, Benchmarking Express data and charts are a significant part of the content Julie presents. Audiences for these include not only internal Nutrition Services leaders, but also nursing leaders, other department directors, and senior hospital executives. Per Executive Director Dennis Delisle, “Julie takes an active role in national associations like AHF to benchmark our performance against peer institutions. She is a member and participant in several boards and advisory councils that help inform these benchmarking strategies. The approach to benchmarking enables Julie and her team to identify growth opportunities, service improvement strategies, and efficiency interventions.

Julie adeptly communicates how Benchmarking Express uses data to qualify and quantify information for administrators and the finance team, creating better, more effective dialogue regarding department performance and needs.

Chapter of the Year Award

This award recognizes an AHF Local Chapter that promotes the overall Association’s mission.

Awarded To: AHF New York Chapter

Click Here to view their Award Video

The Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) New York Chapter has been hard at work supporting its members, vendors and AHF national. Since the pandemic the chapter has been working to increase membership and has seen a steady increase year over year. During the pandemic the chapter offered all members free membership during times of hardship.

The chapter’s educational programs, networking events and volunteer activities promote growth, and offer leadership skills for our members which facilitate improving performance outcomes in respective facilities. Events are subsidized by our Business Partners to remain competitive and affordable for members. Over the past two years, despite restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the New York Chapter has organized and held a variety of both virtual and in-person events offering continuing education credit for Registered Dietitians (AND) and Certified Dietary Managers (ANFP). Their CEU offerings increased from 12 to 21+ credits between 2021 and 2023. Topics have included sustainability, culinary training, DEI, navigating pandemic impacts, networking, retention and more.

Each year the chapter supports The Patridge Foundation with an annual $1,000 contribution dedicated to advancing the education of culinary and foodservice students. Members volunteer services to God’s Love We Deliver packaging meals to homebound New Yorkers. Individual members financially support a grassroots community organization St. John’s Bread for Life, a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger and poverty in Brooklyn, NY. The Bronx VA supports a Dietetic Internship program with chapter student involvement and mentorship in culinary, clinical nutrition and foodservice which often leads to employment within any of the hospital systems which are members of the chapter such as Maimonides Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical Center, One Brooklyn Health Center and VA Hospital System to name a few.

The NY chapter contributes annually to AHF National’s scholarship fund for the promotion and support of self-operated foodservice. The chapter consistently contributes to the S.O. connected magazine, sharing events with national members.

Presidential Service Awards

The AHF President Leadership Awards are special honors given by the AHF President to AHF leaders who have above and beyond in their service to the Association and the self-operated industry.

 

Awarded To:

 

Ami Patel, UCSF Medical Center, Mission Bay

Ami was selected for a Presidential Service Award by AHF President Robert Darrah for her critical contributions to AHF’s growing knowledge base. Her technical expertise in multiple areas of self-operation foodservice have been a key asset to the Association. She has served on multiple committees throughout her time with AHF, but most notably has been an important member of the Self-Operated Project Committee. As a member of the committee, she assisted in the development, authoring, and review of AHF’s keystone publications including: AHF’s Making an Informed Decision, AHF’s Financial Best Practices in Food & Nutrition Services, AHF’s SWOT Analysis Guide, and so many more. These documents are used to help facilities stay self-operated, transition their facilities, and fight contractor intrusions.

More than that, Ami has been an active mentor on AHF’s real-time Self Op Support (SOS) program helping both member, and non-member, operator facilities in immediate need of support when being threatened by a contractor.  She was a founding member of that program helping to launch it in 2020. This and so many other contributions make Ami Patel an invaluable member of AHF. She is a respected expert in the field and one that AHF is proud to call a key member of our community. 

 

Sergio Alonso, Lee Health

Sergio Alonso was selected for a Presidential Service Award for his early contributions during his first year as a member of AHF. A newer member to AHF, Sergio joined AHF’s Conference Planning Committee (CPC) immediately providing creative ideas and endless enthusiasm. He worked with local vendors and contacts to help AHF build connections in the local Southeast region ahead of the annual conference. He has been a great asset and AHF is excited for him grow further in the AHF community.

 

Past Winners by Award

2023 Mary Cooley & Tom Cooley – click here for their video
2022 Tom Thaman  |  Retired, Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis, INclick here for his video
2021 Martha Rardin  |  Hendricks Regional Health, Danville, IN – click here for their video 
2020 Dave Reeves  |  Lee Health, Fort Myers, FL – click here for their video
2019 Randy Sparrow  |  ProHealth Care, Waukesha, WI
2018 Tony Almeida  |  Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ – click here for their video
2017 Dan Henroid  |  UCSF Health, San Francisco, CA – click here for their video 
2016 Julie Jones  |  OSU Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH – click here for her video 
2015 Beth Yesford  |  Providence Hospital, Washington, DC – click here for her video 
2014 Patti Oliver  |  UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA – click here for her video
2013 Denisa Cate  |  Henry County Medical Center, Paris, TN
2012 Laura Watson  |  Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, Provo, UT
2011 Kris Schroeder  |  Swedish Health Services – First Hill, Seattle, WA
2010 Deanne Carlisle  |  Portland VAMC, Portland, OR Bruce Thomas  |  Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA
2023

Karen Horsleyclick here for their video
Sysco | Houston, TX

2022Danielle Mason click here for their video
The Middleby Corporation | FL
2021Ralph Goldbeck click here for their video
Kitchens to Go by mobile modular | Fresno, CA
2020Annemarie Vaupel – click here for their video
Hormel Foods Corporation | Austin, MN
2019Rob Geile
Ali Group | Vernon Hills, IL
2018Christine Guyottclick here for their video
Rippe Associates | Minneapolis, MN
2017Mark Lewandowskiclick here for their video
General Mills | Minneapolis, MN
2016Maureen Leugersclick here for video
Gordon Food Service | Grand Rapids, MI
2015Todd Griffithclick here for his video
Alto-Shaam, Inc. | Menomonee Falls, WI
2014Dick Hynesclick here for his video
Hobart Corporation | Troy, OH
2013Cindy Parker
Basic American Foods | Walnut Creek, CA
2012Marty Rothschild
Aladdin Temp-Rite | Hendersonville, TN
2011Barbara Kane
Ecolab, Inc. | Elk Grove Village, IL
2010Marie Nelson
Schwan’s Home Service, Inc. | Marshall, MN
2023Ryan Conklinclick here for their video
UNC Rex Healthcare | Raleigh, NC
2022Angelo Mojica
Johns Hopkins Health System | Baltimore, MD
2021Angela O’Neill click here for their video
Hunterdon Medical Center | Hunterdon, NJ
2020Neal Lavender click here for their video
JPS Health Network | Fort Worth, TX
2019Timothy Schoonmaker 
Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA
2018Thomas Thaman – click here for their video
Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN
2017Randy Sparrow – click here for their video
ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI
2016Veronica McLymontclick here for their video
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | New York, NY
2015Tony Almeida
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | New Brunswick, NJ
2014Joyce Hagen-Flint
HCA West Florida Division | Largo, FL
2013Eric Eisenberg
Swedish Health Services – First Hill | Seattle, WA
Betty Perez
NYU Langone Medical Center | New York, NY
2012Becky Amt
Indiana University Health Morgan Hospital | Martinsville, IN
2011Mimi Wang
VA New York Harbor HC System | Brooklyn, NY
2010Mark Eggleston
Overlake Hospital Medical Center | Bellevue, WA
2023David Reeves & Armando LLechuclick here for their video
Lee Memorial Health System | Fort Myers, FL
2022Randy Sparrow & Phil Kubow click here for their video
ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI
2021Seth Grant & Lois Dennison click here for their video
Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN
2020Joe Archambeault – click here for their video
Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA
2019Kathy Kesling
Franciscan Health | Michigan City, IN
2018Cheryl Koch & Linda Parenclick here for their video
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center | Baltimore, MD
2017Cheryl Shimminclick here for their video
Kettering Health Network | Kettering, OH
2016Angela O’Neillclick here for their video
Hunterdon Healthcare | Flemington, NJ
2015Deedra Hoffartclick here for their video
Avista Adventist Hospital | Louisville, CO
2014Martha Rardinclick here for their video
Hendricks Regional Health | Danville, IN
Thomas Thamanclick here for their video
Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN
2013Operator Julie Jones and Administrators Randy Allen, Kent Hess & Mary Angela Millerclick here for their video
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center | Columbus, OH
2012Operator Jim Behnke and Administrator Jay Dennard – The team converted the facility from contract management and added room service.
Gwinnett Medical Center | Lawrenceville, GA
2011Operator 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
2010Operator Robert Darrah and Administrator Jerry Joyce – The team converted facilities from contract management to self-operated.
Legacy Retirement Communities | Lincoln, NE
2023Julie Meddlesclick here for their video
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center | Marysville, OH
2022Wren Roberts – click here for their video
Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA
2021Heather Duffy – click here for their video
JFK Medical Center | Edison, NJ
2019Mary Houston
Mercy Joplin | Joplin, MO
2018Randy Sparrow and the ProHealth Care Team – click here for their video
2017Steve Cerulloclick here for their video
Geisinger Medical Center | Wilkes Barre, PA
2016Jeanine Drakeclick here for their video
Flagstaff Medical Center | Flagstaff, AZ
2015*Marge Kipeclick here for their video
Reading Hospital | Reading, PA

*First year of the Benchmarking Award of Excellence.

2023Caroline Parcelclick here for their video
Hunterdon Medical Center | Flemington, NJ
2022Joe Ninnemann click here for their video
Advocate Aurora Health | Campbellsport, WI
2021Erica Block click here for their video
Rush University Medical Center | Elmwood Park, IL
2020Kevin Vos – click here for their video
Spectrum Health | Grand Rapids, MI
2019Seth Grant
Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN
2018Margaret Kipe, Kristen Brudereck & Rachael Wehnclick here for their video
Reading Hospital | West Reading, PA
2017Jennifer 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
2016Becky Amt and Evelyn Sextonclick here for their video
IU Health Bloomington Hospital | Bloomington, IN
2015Michael Atanasioclick here for their video
Overlook Medical Center | Springfield, NJ
Ami Bhowclick here for their video
UCSF Medical Center | San Francisco, CA
2014Crystal McVeyclick here for her video
Huntsville Hospital | Huntsville, AL
Lisa Poggas and Daniel Skayclick here for their video
Castle Rock Adventist Hospital | Castle Rock, CO
2013Dan Henroidclick 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
2012Steve 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
2011Amy Miller – She focused on healthy food in her facility.
Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital & Clinic | Prairie du Sac, WI
2010Dan 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
2023Christopher Voormanclick here for their video
The House of the Good Shepherd | Hackettstown, NJ
2022Almarie Talaveraclick here for their video
JPS Health Network | Ft. Worth, TX
2021Alicia Preston click here for their video
Rogue Valley Manor | Medford, OR
2020Brian Dixson – click here for their video
Geisinger Health System | Coal Township, PA
2019Andrew Bergman
ProHealth Care System | Waukesha, WI
2018Michael Kasperekclick here for their video
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | New Brunswick, NJ
2017Greg Andrewsclick here for their video
Geisinger Lewistown Hospital | Lewistown, PA
2016David Edwardsclick here for their video
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital | Lombard, IL
Mary Ruzziclick here for their video
Geisinger Health System | Scranton, PA
2015Timothy Gee
Robert Wood Johnson University | New Brunswick NJ
2014Nicholas Mercogliano
Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center | New Brunswick, NJ
2013Aatul Jain
Saint Clare’s Health System | Denville, NJ
2012Yusie Kim
NYU Langone Medical Center | New York, NY
2011Tamara Almquist
Geisinger Marworth | Waverly, PA
2010Cedric Junearick
Hunstville Hospital | Huntsville, AL
2023Lisa Yeungclick here for their video
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | New York, NY
2021Gina Sadowskiclick here for their video
Seattle Children’s Hospital | Seattle, WA
2020Rochelle Drexler – click here for their video
Aspirus Wausau Hospital | Wausau, WI
2019*Dawn Cascio
The Valley Hospital | Ridgewood, NJ

*First year of the Sustainability Award.

2023New York Chapterclick here for their video
2022Philadelphia/South Jersey Chapter – click here for their video
2021New Jersey Chapter – click here for their video
2020Philadelphia South Jersey Chapter – Click here for their video
2019Wisconsin Chapter
2018New York Chapter
2017*New Jersey Chapter

*First year of the Chapter of the Year Award.

2023Ami Patel
UCSF Medical Center, Mission Bay | San Francisco, CA
Sergio Alonso
Lee Health | Fort Myers, FL
2022Angela O’Neill
Hunterdon Medical Center | Hunterdon, NJ
2021Cyndi Roberts
Saint Joseph Memorial Hospital | Murphysboro, IL
Tim Schoonmaker
Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA
2020Eric Eisenberg
Rogue Valley Manor | Medford, OR
Martha Rardin
Hendricks Regional Health | Danville, IN
2019Dave Reeves
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | Memphis, TN
Joanne McMillian
Saint Clare’s Hospital | Denville, NJ
2018Bill 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
2017Christine 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
2016Larry 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
2015David 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
2014Elizabeth 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
2013Dexter 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
2012Todd 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
2011Marie Nelson – She focused on the operator and business partner relationship.
Schwan’s Home Service, Inc. | Marshall, MN
2010Marge 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
2012Jim McGrody – “What We Feed Our Patients”
REX Healthcare | Raleigh, NC
2010Tim Bauman – “The Food Service Managers Tune-up Book”
Wood County Hospital | Bowling Green, OH

Past Award Winners by Year

BenchmarkingJulie Meddlesclick here for their video
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center | Marysville, OH
Chapter of the YearNew York Chapterclick here for their video
Exemplary LeadershipRyan Conklin – click here for their video
Johns Hopkins Health System | Baltimore, MD
Future HorizonChristopher Voormanclick here for their video
The House of the Good Shepherd | Hackettstown, NJ
Partnership in LeadershipDavid Reeves & Armando Llechu click here for their video
Lee Memorial Health System | Fort Myers, FL
SpotlightCaroline Parcelclick here for their video
Hunterdon Medical Center | Flemington, NJ
SustainabilityLisa Yeungclick here for their video
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | New York, NY
Lifetime AchievementMary Cooley & Tom Cooleyclick here for their video
Making a DifferenceKaren Horsley click here for their video
Sysco | Houston, TX
Presidential Special ServiceAmi Patel
UCSF Medical Center, Mission Bay | San Francisco, CA
Sergio Alonso
Lee Health | Fort Myers, FL
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 Talaveraclick 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 Thamanclick 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
BenchmarkingHeather Duffy – click here for their video
JFK Medical Center | Edison, NJ
Chapter of the YearNew Jersey Chapter – click here for their video
Exemplary LeadershipAngela O’Neill click here for their video
Hunterdon Medical Center | Hunterdon, NJ
Future HorizonAlicia Preston click here for their video
Rogue Valley Manor | Medford, OR
Partnership in LeadershipSeth Grant & Lois Dennison click here for their video
Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN
SpotlightErica Block click here for their video
Rush University Medical Center |
SustainabilityGina Sadowskiclick here for their video
Seattle Children’s Hospital | Seattle, WA
Lifetime AchievementMartha Rardin click here for their video
Hendricks Regional Health | Danville, IN
Making a DifferenceRalph Goldbeck click here for their video
Kitchens to Go by mobile modular | Fresno, CA
Presidential Special ServiceCyndi Roberts
Saint Joseph Memorial Hospital | Murphysboro, IL
Tim Schoonmaker
Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA
Chapter of the YearPhiladelphia South Jersey Chapter – Click here for their video
Exemplary LeadershipNeal Lavender click here for their video
JPS Health Network | Fort Worth, TX
Future HorizonBrian Dixson – click here for their video
Geisinger Health System | Coal Township, PA
Partnership in LeadershipJoe Archambeault – click here for their video
Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA
SpotlightKevin Vos – click here for their video
Spectrum Health | Grand Rapids, MI
SustainabilityRochelle Drexler – click here for their video
Aspirus Wausau Hospital | Wausau, WI
Lifetime AchievementDave Reeves – click here for their video
Lee Health | Fort Myers, FL
Making a DifferenceAnnemarie Vaupel – click here for their video
Hormel Foods Corporation | Austin, MN
Presidential Special ServiceEric Eisenberg
Rogue Valley Manor | Medford, OR
Martha Rardin
Hendricks Regional Health | Danville, IN
BenchmarkingMary Houston
Mercy Joplin | Joplin, MO
Chapter of the YearWisconsin Chapter
Exemplary LeadershipTimothy Schoonmaker 
Centra Health | Lynchburg, VA
Future HorizonAndrew Bergman
ProHealth Care System | Waukesha, WI
Partnership in LeadershipKathy Kesling
Franciscan Health | Michigan City, IN
SpotlightSeth Grant
Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN
Sustainability – NEW!Dawn Cascio
The Valley Hospital | Ridgewood, NJ
Lifetime AchievementRandy Sparrow
ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI
Making a DifferenceRob Geile
Ali Group | Vernon Hills, IL
Presidential Special ServiceDave Reeves
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | Memphis, TN
Joanne McMillian
Saint Clare’s Hospital | Denville, NJ
BenchmarkingRandy Sparrow and the ProHealth Care Team – click here for their video
ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI
Chapter of the YearNew York Chapter
Exemplary LeadershipThomas Thaman – click here for their video
Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN
Future HorizonMichael Kasperekclick here for their video
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | New Brunswick, NJ
Partnership in LeadershipCheryl Koch & Linda Parenclick here for their video
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center | Baltimore, MD
SpotlightMargaret Kipe, Kristen Brudereck & Rachael Wehnclick here for their video
Reading Hospital | West Reading, PA
Lifetime AchievementTony Almeidaclick here for their video
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | New Brunswick, NJ
Making a DifferenceChristine Guyottclick here for their video
Rippe Associates | Minneapolis, MN
Presidential Special ServiceBill 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
BenchmarkingSteve Cerulloclick here for their video
Geisinger Medical Center | Wilkes Barre, PA
Chapter of the Year – NEW!New Jersey
Exemplary LeadershipRandy Sparrow – click here for their video
ProHealth Care | Waukesha, WI
Future HorizonGreg Andrewsclick here for their video
Geisinger Lewistown Hospital | Lewistown, PA
Partnership in LeadershipCheryl Shimminclick here for their video
Kettering Health Network | Kettering, OH
SpotlightJennifer 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 AchievementDan Henroidclick here for their video
UCSF Health | San Francisco, CA
Making a DifferenceMark Lewandowskiclick here for their video
General Mills | Minneapolis, MN
Presidential Special ServiceChristine 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
BenchmarkingJeanine Drakeclick here for their video
Flagstaff Medical Center | Flagstaff AZ
Exemplary LeadershipVeronica McLymontclick here for their video
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | New York, NY
Future HorizonDavid Edwardsclick here for their video
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital | Lombard, IL
Mary Ruzziclick here for their video
Geisinger Health System | Scranton, PA
Partnership in LeadershipAngela O’Neillclick here for their video
Hunterdon Healthcare | Flemington, NJ
SpotlightBecky Amt and Evelyn Sextonclick here for their video
IU Health Bloomington Hospital | Bloomington, IN
Lifetime AchievementJulie Jonesclick here for her video
OSU Wexner Medical Center | Columbus, OH
Making a DifferenceMaureen Leugersclick here for video
Gordon Food Service | Grand Rapids, MI
Presidential Special ServiceLarry 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
Benchmarking – NEW!Marge Kipeclick here for their video
Reading Hospital | Reading, PA
Exemplary LeadershipTony Almeida
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | New Brunswick, NJ
Future HorizonTimothy Gee
Robert Wood Johnson University | New Brunswick NJ
Partnership in LeadershipDeedra Hoffartclick here for their video
Avista Adventist Hospital | Louisville, CO
SpotlightMichael Atanasioclick here for their video
Overlook Medical Center | Springfield, NJ
Ami Bhowclick here for their video
UCSF Medical Center | San Francisco, CA
Lifetime AchievementBeth Yesfordclick here for her video
Providence Hospital | Washington, DC
Making a DifferenceTodd Griffithclick here for his video
Alto-Shaam, Inc. | Menomonee Falls, WI
Presidential Special ServiceDavid 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
Exemplary LeadershipJoyce Hagen-Flint
HCA West Florida Division | Largo, FL
Future HorizonNicholas Mercogliano
Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center | New Brunswick, NJ
Partnership in LeadershipMartha Rardinclick here for their video
Hendricks Regional Health | Danville, IN
Thomas Thamanclick here for their video
Eskenazi Health | Indianapolis, IN
SpotlightCrystal McVeyclick here for her video
Huntsville Hospital | Huntsville, AL
Lisa Poggas and Daniel Skayclick here for their video
Castle Rock Adventist Hospital | Castle Rock, CO
Lifetime AchievementPatti Oliverclick here for her video
UCLA Medical Center | Los Angeles, CA
Making a DifferenceDick Hynesclick here for his video
Hobart Corporation | Troy, OH
Presidential Special ServiceElizabeth 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
Exemplary LeadershipEric Eisenberg
Swedish Health Services – First Hill | Seattle, WA
Betty Perez
NYU Langone Medical Center | New York, NY
Future HorizonAatul Jain
Saint Clare’s Health System | Denville, NJ
Partnership in LeadershipOperator Julie Jones and Administrators Randy Allen, Kent Hess & Mary Angela Millerclick here for their video
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center | Columbus, OH
SpotlightDan Henroidclick 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 AchievementDenisa Cate
Henry County Medical Center | Paris, TN
Making a DifferenceCindy Parker
Basic American Foods | Walnut Creek, CA
Presidential Special ServiceDexter 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
Exemplary LeadershipBecky Amt
Indiana University Health Morgan Hospital | Martinsville, IN
Future HorizonYusie Kim
NYU Langone Medical Center | New York, NY
Partnership in LeadershipOperator Jim Behnke and Administrator Jay Dennard – The team converted the facility from contract management and added room service.
Gwinnett Medical Center | Lawrenceville, GA
SpotlightSteve 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 AchievementLaura Watson
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center | Provo, UT
Making a DifferenceMarty Rothschild
Aladdin Temp-Rite | Hendersonville, TN
Presidential Special ServiceTodd 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 AwardJim McGrody – “What We Feed Our Patients”
REX Healthcare | Raleigh, NC
Exemplary LeadershipMimi Wang
VA New York Harbor HC System | Brooklyn, NY
Future HorizonTamara Almquist
Geisinger Marworth | Waverly, PA
Partnership in LeadershipOperator 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
SpotlightAmy Miller – She focused on healthy food in her facility.
Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital & Clinic | Prairie du Sac, WI
Lifetime AchievementKris Schroeder
Swedish Health Services – First Hill | Seattle, WA
Making a DifferenceBarbara Kane
Ecolab, Inc. | Elk Grove Village, IL
Presidential Special ServiceMarie Nelson – She focused on the operator and business partner relationship.
Schwan’s Home Service, Inc. | Marshall, MN
Exemplary LeadershipMark Eggleston
Overlake Hospital Medical Center | Bellevue, WA
Future HorizonCedric Junearick
Hunstville Hospital | Huntsville, AL
Partnership in LeadershipOperator Robert Darrah and Administrator Jerry Joyce – The team converted facilities from contract management to self-operated.
Legacy Retirement Communities | Lincoln, NE
SpotlightDan 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 AchievementDeanne Carlisle
Portland VAMC | Portland, OR
Bruce Thomas
Geisinger Health System | Danville, PA
Making a DifferenceMarie Nelson
Schwan’s Home Service, Inc. | Marshall, MN
Presidential Special ServiceMarge 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 AwardTim Bauman – “The Food Service Managers Tune-up Book”
Wood County Hospital | Bowling Green, OH