December 22, 2021

The Cincinnati Business Courier has announced the finalists for its 25th annual Health Care Heroes Awards, including three TriHealth leaders: Lynda Garcia, Jeremiah Kirkland, and Tashawna Otabil. The awards honor those who have made an impact on health care in our community through their concern for patients, their research and inventions, their management skills, their innovative programs for employees and their services.

Lynda Garcia, Vice President of Talent Development and Organizational Effectiveness, was named a finalist in the Manager category. She is being recognized for her leadership of the Team Member Resource Center (TMRC) as an emergency response best practice to support TriHealth team members and physicians since the onset of COVID-19. Through Lynda’s leadership team, the TMRC transformed into a workforce development source that readied our system for upcoming surge preparations and redistribution of staff resources while at the same time improving the safety, quality, and efficiency of patient care.

Jeremiah Kirkland, President and Chief Operating Officer of Good Samaritan Hospital at Evendale, was named a finalist in the Innovator category for his work in the community to help reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes and positively impacting the lives of thousands in our community. Jeremiah is being recognized, in part, for initiating and implementing a number of unique community collaborations including teaming with bi3 and Cincinnati Public Schools for the School to Work program and connecting clinicians with community care workers to work surround patients with needed services so they can be their healthiest.

Tashawna Otabil, Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Managed Care, was named a finalist the Community Outreach category. Tashawna is being recognized for her drive to build an organizational culture at TriHealth that mirrors the increasingly diverse community we serve and which delivers the highest quality, affordable care to all people. With an understanding of how social determinants of health, including race, ethnicity, and language, significantly impact a person's health and well-being, she has used her influence and ability to address healthcare disparities, increase access to quality care, and create a more inclusive culture where patients feel welcomed, valued, safe, and well-cared for throughout their healthcare journey.

Congratulations to Lynda, Jeremiah and Tashawna! Winners will be announced at an awards dinner on February 10, 2022.

Congratulations to each of you.
Posted by: Nyota Stoker on December 29, 2021
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Fantastic!
Posted by: Joyce Battoclette on December 23, 2021
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Congrats to you all.
Posted by: LaShawn Motley on December 22, 2021
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