MHA Special Recognition Award
The MHA Special Recognition Award is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to improving healthcare in the state.
Past Winners
2022
Jean Anthony, CEO (retired), Hills & Dales Hospital
Terry Lerash, CEO, Scheuer Hospital
Nancy Graebner-Sunding, President (retired), St. Joesph Mercy Chelsea
Senator Jim Stamas (R), 36th District
2021
Joneigh Khaldun, MD, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Gerry Anderson, DTE Energy
Nancy Schlichting, Henry Ford Health System (retired)
Ed Bruff, Covenant Healthcare
David Spahlinger, MD, University of Michigan
2020
Duke Anderson, Hillsdale Hospital
Gwen MacKenzie, First Step of Sarasota (FL)
Anthony Tedeschi, MD, Detroit Medical Center
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D)
State Rep. Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Twp.)
2019
Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-Rockford)
L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive
Mary Ursul, senior advisor, Coverys, East Lansing
Marilyn Litka-Klein, vice president of health finance, MHA, Lansing
2018
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder
2017
Elizabeth Schnettler, Hospital Council of East Central Michigan (retired)
Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White Lake)
2016
State Rep. Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville)
2015
James Haveman, Michigan Department of Community Health
Julianne Johnson, Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Okemos
2014
State Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe)
State Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing)
2013
State Rep. Matt Lori (R-Constantine)
John MacKeigan, MD, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids
2012
Robert D. Fowler, Small Business Association of Michigan, Lansing
State Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Twp.)
2011
Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley
Jerry L. Welsh, HPS, Middleville
2010
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing)
State Sen. Ray Basham (D-Taylor)
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land
2009
State Rep. Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard)
Dennis Paradis, Michigan Osteopathic Association, Lansing
Kevin A. Kelly, Michigan State Medical Society, Lansing (posthumously)
2008
State Rep. Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee)
Cynthia & Michigan Appellate Court Judge Bill Schuette, Michigan Harvest Gathering
2007
Paul Reinhardt, MI Department of Community Health, Medical Services Administration
Carl VerBeek, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce/Varnum Riddering Schmidt & Howlett
2006
State Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom
Janet Olszewski, Michigan Department of Community Health
2005
William Madigan, Michigan State Medical Society
Sister Mary Ellen Howard, St. Francis Cabrini Clinic Michigan
2004
Gov. Jennifer Granholm
House Speaker Rick Johnson (R-Leroy)
2003
Douglas Peters, Northern Michigan Hospital, Petoskey
2002
Kathleen Putnam, MHA Field Representative
2001
State Rep Mickey Mortimer (R-Horton)
Andrew Libka (12-year old cancer patient from Alpena)
2000
State Sen. Joel Gougeon (R-Bay City)
1999
Robert DeVries, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek
1998
Edward McRee, Ingham Regional Medical Center, Lansing
1997
Jack Shelton, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
1996
Gail Warden, Henry Ford Health System
State Representative John Jamian (R)
1995
F. Karl Neumann, MHA Insurance Company, Lansing
Richard Hiltz, Mercy Memorial Hospital, Monroe
1994
Edward Hodges II, Botsford General Hospital, Farmington Hills
1993
State Rep. Richard Bandstra (R)
State Rep. Michael Griffin (D)
State Sen. Dan DeGrow (R)
State Sen. Don Koivisto (D)
1992
Richard Kitch, Kitch, Saurbier, Drutchas, Wagner & Kenney, PC
Donald Thurber, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan
1990
MHA v. MDSS Plaintiff Hospitals
1989
Edward Connors, Mercy Health Services, Farmington Hills
Francis McCarthy, Metropolitan Hospital, Grand Rapids
Jack Owen, American Hospital Association, Washington Office
1987
Kathleen Putnam, RN, Leelanau Memorial Hospital, Northport
1986
John Freysinger, Peoples Community Hospital Authority, Wayne
Gordon Tolodziecki, Standish Community Hospital
1985
Richard Sejnost, Harper-Grace Hospitals, Detroit
1984
Herbert Auer, Michigan Health Council
Warren Tryloff, Michigan State Medical Society
1983
John Griffith, Bureau of Hospital Administration, University of Michigan
1982
Dominic Jacobetti, Michigan House of Representatives
Daniel Kehoe, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan Special Recognition
1980
Ray Kehres, Michigan House of Representatives