KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — ImageFIRST has selected eight winning entries in its sixth annual HeroesFIRST competition, awarding a combined $16,500 to healthcare professionals across the United States following a public vote involving 20 finalists chosen from more than 600 nominations.
The King of Prussia-based provider of healthcare linen, laundry and facility services uses the annual competition to recognize workers whose contributions to patient care and healthcare operations extend beyond their routine responsibilities.
ImageFIRST service team members submitted nominations from healthcare facilities nationwide. Twenty finalists advanced to a public vote, which determined the eight winning entries.
The recipients will receive cash awards totaling $16,500, with the option to direct an equivalent amount to a charity of their choice.
The 2026 HeroesFIRST winners are:
- Mekila Clark, PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center, Longview, Washington
- Dr. Gayathri Sambasivan, Dentistry for Children and Adolescents, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
- Meghan Dean, Bristol Hospital, Bristol, Connecticut
- Laura Reese, Mid Coast Medical Center – Bellville, Bellville, Texas
- Kimberly Kinsella and DeAnna Phan, Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology, Edina, Minnesota
- Lisa Wille, Meta Surgical Center, Montvale, New Jersey
- Celeste Jenkins, TOC Spine & Joint Surgery Center, Tallahassee, Florida
- Susan Perrotta, Dermatology Professionals Inc., East Greenwich, Rhode Island
The winners represent a range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient surgical facilities, dental practices and specialty clinics.
Among them is Clark, a linen lead at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Washington, whose work illustrates the role of operational support staff in maintaining patient care.
Clark has worked at the medical center for 20 years. Murray Heidebrecht, an ImageFIRST hospital customer advocate in Portland, Oregon, nominated her after observing her work with patients and colleagues.
“Every time I work with her or see her with her team, her calm, collaborative voice comes through,” Heidebrecht stated. “She quietly does whatever it takes for her patients and colleagues.”
Clark attributed her approach to a commitment to the people she serves rather than professional recognition.
“I’m not in this for the competition or recognition,” Clark stated. “I do it for my patients and coworkers. That’s what truly matters to me.”
ImageFIRST will hold local celebrations for each of the winning recipients.
The company also recognized 12 additional finalists and runners-up:
- Demetrea Holman, Henderson Surgery Center, Henderson, Nevada
- Ike Morgan, New Oakland Family Centers, Farmington Hills, Michigan
- Kerstyn Boyd, Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic MRI, Tallahassee, Florida
- Amy Serante, South Denver Gastroenterology, Denver, Colorado
- Jeff Williams, Hope Care Center, Kansas City, Missouri
- Krista Kackley, Midwest Radiology Suburban Imaging – The Breast Center, Coon Rapids, Minnesota
- Amanda Summers, Banner Surgery Center – Chandler, Chandler, Arizona
- Nanci Garcia, Maternal Gynerations, Lawrenceville, Georgia
- Jorge Contreras, New Me Plastic Surgery, Miami, Florida
- Kimberly Copeland, Henderson Surgery Center, Henderson, Nevada
- Isabel Palileo-Rapanan, Pacific Medical Centers – First Hill, Seattle, Washington
- Mary Hall, The University of Kansas Health System, Indian Creek Campus, Overland Park, Kansas
The competition recognizes both clinical professionals and healthcare support personnel, reflecting the range of roles involved in patient services and facility operations.
Mike Martin, ImageFIRST’s senior vice president of customer experience, described the recipients’ contributions as examples of the importance of individual service within healthcare organizations.
“Through their dedicated service, they have made a lasting difference in the lives of others,” Martin stated.
Now in its sixth year, HeroesFIRST remains part of ImageFIRST’s national recognition program for healthcare workers, with nominations originating from the company’s service teams and final selections determined by public voting.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.