SYRACUSE, N.Y., Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Bankers Healthcare Group, the leading provider of financial solutions for healthcare professionals, is proud to present the 2015 Excellence in Health Care Awards. This annual awards-recognition event honors individuals and organizations that have a significant impact on the quality of healthcare in Central New York.

“As a company that works solely with the healthcare community, we have a great deal of respect for the dedication of these professionals to their patients and their field,” said BHG CEO Al Crawford. “We would like to thank this year’s honorees and their colleagues for all they do to provide our community with exceptional care.”

2015 Excellence in Health Care Honorees:

Innovations in Health Care: Dr. David Cifra, DC, of Upstate Spinal Decompression; Heather Bernard, RN, BS, CIC, of Mohawk Valley Health System, St. Luke’s Campus; Kate Rolf of VNA Homecare
Community Partners/Advocates of the Year: K&A Services; St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center
Dentist of the Year: Dr. Rubin Cowart, retired, of Syracuse Community Health
Education in Health Care: Sports Physical Therapy of New York
Emergency Medical Technician of the Year: Ed Moser of Rural/Metro Medical Services of Central New York
Health-Care Facility of the Year: Finger Lakes Center for Living
Health-Care Volunteer of the Year: Amy Scullion, BSN, MSN, FNP-C, of Longevity-Breathe Deep CNY
Nurse of the Year: Linda Lyon, RN, CN-BN, of The Woman’s Imaging Center at Rome Memorial Hospital
Physical Therapists of the Year: Dr. Chad Pens of COAST Physical Therapy; Dr. Douglas Fye of Auburn Community Hospital
Physicians of the Year: Neil F. Mariados, MD, of Associated Medical Professionals of NY, PLLC; Julius Gene S. Latorre, MD, MPH, of Upstate University Hospital
Practice Manager of the Year: Anne E. Zaccheo of Nephrology Associates of Syracuse, PC
Specialty Center of the Year: Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists
Surgeon of the Year: Dr. Gregory Fink, MD, of Upstate Medical University
Surgical Facility of the Year: Crouse Neuroscience Institute
Lifetime Health-Care Achievement: A. John Merola, MD, of Summit Commercial Real Estate Group, LLC