В Citrus County наградили лучших героев здравоохранения на ежегодном мероприятии

The Citrus County Chronicle’s annual Healthcare Heroes event is always a big event, and this year was no exception. A packed, sold-out crowd of nearly 210 people attended the 14th annual event Friday at Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club, honoring some of Citrus County’s healthcare professionals, volunteers and organizations. The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce dedicates one of its monthly luncheons each year to Healthcare Heroes, an event created by the Chronicle that draws hundreds of nominations from the community. From those nominations, a panel of judges selects the honorees in each category. Heroes are everywhere – in Hollywood, on the playing field, in the military and among our police officers and firefighters. But some of the most important heroes are the people who care for us when we’re sick, injured or simply in need of a helping hand. John Murphy, chairman of the chamber’s Government Affairs Committee and digital manager at the Citrus County Chronicle, said the purpose of the annual Healthcare Heroes event is to make sure the people “who take care of us in the community get the recognition they deserve.” Here’s a look at the 2026 Citrus County Chronicle Healthcare Heroes: Healthcare Humanitarian – Lakesha Harrison A registered nurse at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital with more than 25 years in healthcare, Harrison turned the devastating loss of her son, Antonio Hicks, to sudden cardiac arrest into a mission to protect young athletes. Since 2022, she has volunteered with Who We Play For, promoting ECG screenings and advocating for routine heart screenings in youth sports. She and her family also established scholarships in Antonio’s memory at three Citrus County high schools. Volunteer – Nick Choto Choto, director of rehabilitation at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital, has spent nearly 13 years helping patients regain mobility and independence. A former UCF baseball player, he spends his evenings and weekends coaching youth baseball, using the sport to teach children perseverance, resilience and how to bounce back from failure. Dental Excellence – Dr. Demetrick LeCorn A practicing endodontist in Citrus County since 2008, Dr. LeCorn has spent more than two decades helping patients through complex dental procedures, including root canals. He also volunteers at the Freedom Clinic, providing free dental care to people who otherwise might go without treatment. Advanced Practice Provider – Mary Beth Bottorf An acute care nurse practitioner with Tampa General Hospital Crystal River’s thoracic surgery team, Bottorf has built a nearly 30-year nursing career from the ground up. After working as an OB technician and licensed practical nurse, she advanced to registered nurse, earned her master’s degree and became an acute care nurse practitioner. Her two decades in critical care now complement her surgical expertise and commitment to mentoring other healthcare professionals. Healthcare Professional – Sterling Winner Winner originally hoped to become a police officer, but Tourette syndrome prevented him from passing required law-enforcement polygraph examinations. A military career as a combat medic introduced him to medicine, where he found his calling. He later served with Nature Coast EMS and Citrus County Fire Rescue and now works in the department’s High Performance Division. Innovation in Healthcare – Dr. Mary Carolyn Vinson A thoracic surgeon at Tampa General Hospital Crystal River, Dr. Vinson brought advanced robotic thoracic surgery to Citrus County after joining the hospital in 2024. She established a robotic surgery program designed to provide minimally invasive treatment closer to home, with a focus on improving access, earlier diagnosis, less-invasive procedures and better patient outcomes. Community Outreach – Tampa General Hospital Crystal River Tampa General Hospital Crystal River earned the award for its partnership with the Academy of Health Careers at Crystal River High School. The program provides students with scholarships, uniforms, clinical experiences, mentoring and firsthand exposure to healthcare careers. The initiative is helping build a local healthcare workforce at a time when Citrus County is expected to need roughly 1,000 additional healthcare professionals. Administrative Excellence – Glenn Piche As executive director of ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital since it opened three years ago, Piche helped establish both the facility and a culture built around compassion, teamwork and family. ClearSky provides inpatient rehabilitation for patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, trauma and other major medical events, allowing Citrus County residents to receive specialized care closer to home. Physician Excellence – Dr. Andrew Barnes At 38, Dr. Barnes is the youngest Physician Excellence honoree since the Healthcare Heroes program began. Originally a psychology student planning to become a psychiatrist, he ultimately pursued osteopathic medicine and became part of the inaugural internal medicine residency class in Inverness in 2018. He later returned to Citrus County to practice medicine, a journey shaped in part by his brother’s battle with cancer and the mentors he encountered along the way. Reader’s Choice – Dr. Eleanor “Elie” So A Doctor of Physical Therapy originally from the Philippines, Dr. So moved to the United States in 2015 and continued her education while adapting to a new country. She emphasizes trust, encouragement and hope alongside physical rehabilitation, helping patients regain confidence, independence and a sense of control during difficult recoveries. Unlike the other awards, the Reader’s Choice winner is selected by the community and not the judges’ panel. Lifetime Achievement – Dr. Thomas Bendowski After 37 years in orthopedic surgery – including 34 years serving Citrus County – Dr. Bendowski has helped thousands of patients recover from injuries, overcome pain and regain their independence. He came to Crystal River after spotting a tiny advertisement in a medical journal and taking a pontoon ride through Kings Bay. Though retirement is approaching, he continues to perform surgeries and care for patients at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital.