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