Manatee Chamber Announces Champions of Healthcare Award Winners

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the winners of the 10th Annual Champions of Healthcare Awards, which were presented at a community-wide event on June 20, 2024. 

These awards recognize the collective actions of the individuals, institutions and programs that have made an extraordinary impact in the Manatee County healthcare community and whose acts reflect dedication to excellence in their area of expertise beyond the scope of their profession.

The 2024 winners are:

• Lifetime Achievement Award Winner – Arthur J. Cohen, MD, JD, MBA, Turning Points

• Youth Volunteer Award & Scholarship Winner – Bryanna Sparks, dual enrolled Manatee High School and University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Campus student

• Individual of Merit – Ernie Withers

• Institution/Program – Teen Health Educator Program, Healthy Teens

• Innovation/Research - Sensory Suite for Autistic Patients of all ages in the ER at Manatee Memorial Hospital

• Physician/Dentist – Roberta Carlman, DDS, Turning Points

• Nurse – Lorraine Dengler, MBA, FNP-C, ACHPN, Empath Health / Tidewell Hospice

• Allied Health Professional – Sandra Huth, MA, CCC-SLP, HCA Florida Blake Hospital

• Adult Volunteer – Judy Frey, Empath Health / Tidewell Hospice

Thank you to their sponsors:

• Presenting Sponsor: Regions Bank

• Scholarship Sponsor: Florida Blue

• Program Sponsors: Blalock Walters, P.A., Empath Health / Tidewell Hospice, HCA Florida Blake Hospital, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

• Corporate Sponsors: Acrisure, GTE Financial, Keiser University, Manatee Memorial Hospital, MCR Health, Pines of Sarasota Health Care LLC

• Supporting Sponsors: ArchWell Health, Parkwood Dental, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota

• Goody Bag Sponsor: Coastal Hearing Care

• Printing Sponsor: Minuteman Press of Bradenton

• A/V Sponsor: Manatee Educational Television (METV)