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The 42nd annual Frist Humanitarian Awards have arrived! The national awards recognize one HCA employee, one volunteer and one physician for their outstanding humanitarian achievements.
Amanda Bohannon, a critical care unit nurse at Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Georgia, Branton "Brant" T. Chill, a volunteer at The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma, and Dr. Harry McCoy III, an oncologist and hematologist at LewisGale Hospital – Montgomery in Virginia were presented with awards at a ceremony in Nashville Monday.
The awards have been a tradition at HCA since 1971 to recognize the care spirit and philanthropic work of the late Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr., one of three founders of HCA.
More than 200 honorees were recognized at the facility level for their commitment and dedication to providing outstanding care to our patients. But only three could be selected for the national awards.
Each finalist receives a $5,000 donation to the charity of choice and $5,000 cash goes to both the Amanda and Brant, while Dr. McCoy will receive a $10,000 donation to his charity of choice.
"Every year, the Frist Humanitarian Awards honors three individuals who embody the values of HCA and its founder, Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr., for whom the Award is named," said Milton Johnson, HCA president and chief executive officer. "We are proud to recognize Amanda, Brant and Dr. McCoy for their selfless dedication to bettering the lives of others, as our colleagues throughout the HCA system endeavor to do every day."
When Amanda started at Redmond Regional as an administrative assistant nine years ago, she was a single mother of two, including a disabled, terminally-ill daughter. Despite challenges, she reached out to others in need and became active with Make-A-Wish, an organization that made her daughter Marlowe’s dream trip to Disney World come true. Amanda also served as a United Way volunteer and assisted with many hospital-related events. When she lost Marlowe in 2012 after fighting Sanfilippo Syndrome for 14 years, Amanda established The Sweet Cocoon, a foundation working to build a respite house for families with disabled or seriously ill children. She also returned to school, and today is a registered nurse in Redmond Regional’s critical care unit.
Brant is a firefighter, husband and father, in addition to his volunteer role at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center. At the hospital, he holds babies, talks to teens, and tells stories to and plays games with children—anything to make young patients feel less alone. When he heard a long-term OU Medical Center patient was a Superman fan, he bought a costume for the young man. After the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes, he put in a 48-hour shift as a first responder. The next day, he served a full shift as a volunteer at the hospital. Brant also coordinates an annual food drive for the Spero Project, a local Christian organization that serves under-resourced populations, and he collects gifts and food to distribute during Christmas.
Dr. McCoy has become appreciated throughout the New River Valley over the years for the time and attention he gives his patients. Beyond treating cancer patients medically, Dr. McCoy has devoted decades to helping them and their families cope with the psychological and emotional aspects of the disease. He served as a hospice director for many years, and through his work with the Palliative Care Partnership of the New River Valley, he helps educate healthcare professionals and the community about end-of-life care. In addition to his own practice, Dr. McCoy is a founding member of Sojourn Center, a community based, not-for-profit hospice expected to open this year.
You can get to know the 2013 recipients a little better by checking out three quick videos on HCATodayBlog.com. Please enjoy them.
