Past Unsung Heroes

Each year, projects that have received a VHCF grant nominate their Unsung Heroes, those unique individuals and teams whose talents and energy make such a big difference. A distinguished panel of judges selects a winner from each of five categories (Volunteer, Donor, Physician, Team and Employee) and also highlights the accomplishment of a Child Health Champion.

The Unsung Heroes are honored at VHCF’s annual Heroes in Health Care event. Each winner receives a $2,000 check to the affiliated VHCF grantee — funding made possible by the Virginia Association of Health Plans. VHCF is honored to recognize these outstanding individuals and teams.

Congratulations to all of VHCF’s Unsung Heroes.

Volunteer

  • Emilion Alfaro, Lackey Clinic, 2018
  • Leo H. Ross, RPh, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, 2016
  • Jean S. Merrill, Blue Ridge Medical Center and Sharon B. Golden, Arlington Free Clinic, 2015
  • Paula Green, Community Free Clinic of Newport News, 2013
  • William T. Griffin, DDS, Lackey Free Clinic, 2012
  • Connie White, RPh, Chesapeake Care Free Clinic, 2011
  • C.R. “Chuck” Harris, DDS, Gloucester-Mathews Free Clinic, 2010
  • David B. Crouse, DDS and Carole S. Crouse, American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia, 2009
  • Michael Judd and James Gallagher, Johnson Health Center, 2008
  • William J. Viglione, DDS, Charlottesville Area Dental Access, 2007
  • Gary V. Snell, St. Luke Community Clinic, 2006
  • Patricia Morrell, Peninsula Agency on Aging, 2005
  • Ray Deyerle, The Rescue Mission Health Center, 2004
  • David and Janet Ferguson, Shenandoah County Free Clinic, 2003
  • Betty Newell, Community Association for Rural Transportation (CART), 2002
  • Robert Hendrickson, PhD, LCSW, Mental Health Association of the New River Valley, 2001
  • Barbara Dunn, PhD, RN, CPNP, Irvin Gammon Craig Health Center, 2000
  • Al Stenger, DDS, Virginia Donated Dental Services Program, 1999
  • Doris Reid, Free Clinic of the New River Valley, 1998
  • Lonnie & Thelma Hogge, New River Valley Med-Ride, 1997
  • Matt Luckman, R.Ph., Beach Health Clinic, 1997
  • Eugene Cook, Northern Virginia Dental Clinic, 1996
  • Frank Giancola, M.D., and Joseph Puglise, M.D., Prince William Pediatric Primary Care Project, 1996

Teamwork

  • Blue Ridge Medical Center, 2018
  • Henrico Area Mental Health and Development Services, The Daily Planet, 2016
  • Glenn H. Herman, OD; Miles J. Newman, OD; Joe R. Blackstock, OD; Chris M. Clark; and Jon P. Brisley, MD, Rescue Mission of Roanoke, 2015
  • Richmond City Health District and Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (Health Resource Centers), 2013
  • Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., Alexandria Community Services Board, Arlington Community Services Board, 2012
  • Project Care of the Greater Virginia Peninsula, Inc., 2011
  • Blue Ridge Medical Center and the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, 2010
  • Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services Staff, 2009
  • New River Valley Free Clinic Consortium — Free Clinic of Pulaski County, Mental Health Association of the New River Valley, Free Clinic of the New River Valley, 2008
  • Laura B. Hughes, Angela D. Rich, Michelle H. Richardson, Kathy M. Wachter and John C. Wilson, Northern Neck Free Health Clinic, 2007
  • Augustus A. Petticolas, Jr., DDS and William N. Riley, DDS, Free Clinic of Central Virginia, 2006
  • Edie Bobko, Beth Elswick, and Michelle McPheron, Southwest Virginia Perinatal Council, 2005
  • B.J. Attwood and Sandi Reese, Free Clinic of Goochland, 2004
  • Mission of Mercy Coordinating Team, Virginia Dental Association, 2003
  • Charles “Bud” Conklin, Jr. DDS & Robin R. Haldiman, Roanoke Pediatric Dental Program, 2002
  • Roanoke Pediatric Dental Program 2002
  • Barbara Baker & Cathy Smith, CHIP of Richmond Asthma Program, 2001
  • Free Clinic of the New River Valley Dental Project, 2000
  • Shirley Bealor & Carol Jameson, Partnership for Healthier Kids (Fairfax County), 1999
  • Pharmacy Team of the Free Clinic of Franklin County, 1998
  • Roanoke Academy of Medicine Alliance, 1997
  • National Black Nurses’ Association — Central Virginia Chapter, MCV Breast Cancer Education Project, 1996

Physician

  • Randolph V. Merrick, MD, Orange County Free Clinic, 2018
  • Joseph F. Smiddy, MD, The Health Wagon, 2016
  • John R. Talbert, MD, Augusta Regional Free Clinic, 2015
  • David A. Ellington, MD, Rockbridge Area Free Clinic, 2013
  • Edwin J. Harvie, Jr., MD, Free Clinic of Danville, 2012
  • Denise L. Borden, MD, VCU Ambulatory Care Center, 2011
  • James O. Shaw, Jr., MD, Lackey Free Clinic, 2010
  • Randall R. Rhea, MD, Bradley Free Clinic, 2009
  • Amy Price, MD, Bon Secours Maryview Foundation Healthcare Center, 2008
  • Rhonda B. Algeier, MD, Central Virginia Health Services – Charlotte Primary Care, 2007
  • Rebecca Ogur Sinclair, MD, Prince William Primary Health Care Mobile Unit, 2006
  • Frank M. Cotter, MD, Project Access of the Roanoke Valley, 2005
  • Eloise C. Haun, MD, Shenandoah County Free Clinic, 2004
  • Richard Baylor, MD, Northern Neck Free Health Clinic, 2003
  • Richard Bilowski, MD, Portsmouth EduCare Project, 2002
  • Joe Gardner, MD, Harrisonburg Rockingham Free Clinic, 2001
  • George Eapen, MD, Petersburg Health Care Alliance, 2000
  • Mark Arner, MD, Blue Ridge Community Services, 1999
  • Randall Bashore, MD,Central Virginia Health Systems,1998

Donor

  • Mary J. Mellon, Arlington Free Clinic, 2018
  • Diane H. Naughton, Arlington Free Clinic, 2016
  • Gordon “Sonny” Derwood Bowman, III, Shenandoah Community Health Clinic, 2015
  • Guy Beatty, Free Clinic of Franklin County, 2013
  • Mary & Andre Hintermann, Piedmont Regional Dental Clinic, 2012
  • George N. McMath, Onley Community Health Center, Eastern Shore Rural  Health Services, Inc., 2011
  • Mark Silverwood, Arlington Free Clinic, 2010
  • Lewis Angelo Arthur, DDS, Free Clinic of Central Virginia, 2009
  • Coran Capshaw, Charlottesville Free Clinic, 2008
  • Vito J. and Kristi L. Germinario, Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., 2007
  • Caroline C. Levine, Meadowview First Health Care Center, 2006
  • David Peacock, Health Care on the Square, 2005
  • William B. Graham, Northern Neck Free Health Clinic, 2004
  • Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Holcomb, Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic Dental Program, 2003
  • Potomac Hospital Auxiliary, Potomac Hospital’s Family Health Connection, 2002
  • Sarah “Sally” Minton, John Root, and The August Medical Center, Augusta Regional Free Clinic, 2001
  • Phyllis Smith, Northern Neck Free Health Clinic, 2000
  • John and Flora Ratliff, C. Brock Hughes Free Clinic, 1999
  • Wellmont Health System, Mendota, 1998
  • Counts Drug Company, C. Brock Hughes Free Clinic, 1997
  • First Baptist Church of Lambert’s Point, Nelson County RHOP, 1996
  • Virginia Fibre Corporation, Community Adult Clinic of Norfolk,1996

Employee

  • LaTonya A. Coley, ChildSavers, 2018
  • Rosalyn Jean Nelson, Northern Neck Free Health Clinic, 2016
  • Kay G. Bradley, Gloucester Mathews Free Clinic, 2015, 2014
  • Marsha Green, NP, Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic, 2013
  • Christina T. Harris, Chesapeake Care Free Clinic, 2012
  • Yesenia “Jessie” Gonzales, RN, Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., 2011
  • Donna Bowser, DNP, Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic, 2010
  • Tom Adams, Carilion Clinic, 2008
  • Pamela Moore-Barr, Richmond Area High Blood Pressure Center, 2007
  • Pamela Pearce Murphy, Shenandoah County Free Clinic, 2006
  • Jan Rasnake, FNP, Smyth County Free Clinic, 2005
  • Roger Henderson, Bedford Community Health Foundation, 2004
  • Sandy Sayre, Rescue Mission Heath Care Center, 2003
  • Richard Faquin, D.D.S., Accomack and Northampton County Public Schools’ Dental Program, 2002
  • Elizabeth “Dibby” Smith, Arlandria Health Center, 2001
  • Bob Alpino, Eastern Virginia Telemedicine Network, 2000
  • Linda Mangum, RN, BSN, Community Memorial Health Center, 1999
  • Helen Denise Purdy, Resource Mothers Program (Norfolk), 1999
  • Robin Mullet, Fairfax Community Health Network, 1998
  • John Cox, Bon Secours Richmond Health System Care-A-Van, 1998
  • Janette Trent, Lenowisco Health District Pharmacy Access Program, 1997
  • Conrad Jenkins, D.D.S., Charlottesville Free Clinic, 1996

Child Health Champion

  • Inova Partnership for Healthier Kids, 2016
  • Beth Elswick, Cumberland Plateau Health District, 2015
  • Iris Treakle, David B. Nichols Health Center on Tangier Island, 2013
  • Eduardo Mantilla-Torres, Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., 2012
  • Denise Parker, The STOP Organization, 2011
  • Ann M. Walker, Martinsville-Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness, 2010
  • Pat McGlothlin, Cumberland Plateau Health District, 2009
  • Linda Nablo, Virginia Department for the Aging, 2008
  • Shelby T. Gonzales, Inova Partnership for Healthier Kids, 2007
  • Rhonda Seltz, Radford University FAMIS Outreach Project, 2006
  • The Honorable Mark Warner, Governor of Virginia, 2005

Last Updated on June 25, 2019