Long Island Business News has selected its 2026 Health Care Heroes honorees.
Long Island Business News created Health Care Heroes to recognize excellence, promote innovation and honor the efforts of individuals and organizations making a significant impact on the quality of health care on Long Island. The winners were selected by the editors of Long Island Business News.
Health Care Heroes are presented in the following categories: Acupuncture Specialist, Advanced Practice Provider, Dental Specialist, Elder Care, First Responder, Health Care Innovation, Health Care Staff, Lifetime Achievement, Management, Mental Health, Nurse, Physician and Volunteer.
“The 2026 Health Care Heroes are exemplary and provide exceptional care to those in need. They are leaders and innovators who serve their communities selflessly and mentor others,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/Long Island Business News. “We at Long Island Business News are pleased to honor both individuals and organizations that are making a significant impact on the quality of health care on Long Island and beyond. Congratulations to all the recipients.”
The winners will be honored at a breakfast celebration on Feb. 27 at the Crest Hollow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury. Registration, networking and a breakfast buffet begin at 9 a.m., followed by the awards program at 9:30 a.m. The event hashtag is #LIBNevents.
Tables are only available with sponsorship. To secure a sponsorship to ensure you and your guests can celebrate together, contact Suzanne Fischer-Huettner at [email protected].
Winners will be profiled in a special section that will be inserted into the Feb. 27 issue of Long Island Business News and will be available online at www.LIBN.com.
For more information and updated sponsorship information about Long Island Business News’ Health Care Heroes, visit https://libn.com/event/health-care-heroes/.
2026 Health Care Heroes
Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Allison McLarty, Stony Brook Medicine
Acupuncture Specialist
Dr. James Vitale D.Ac, Suffolk County Acupuncture
Advanced Practice Provider
Christopher Rubino PA-C, RT(R), St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
Jose J. Ventura, RPA, St. Charles Hospital
Dental Specialist
Dr. Richard Rongo, ProHealth Dental
Elder Care
Sandra O’Neill, Family & Children’s Association (FCA)
First Responder
Raymond P. Smith Jr., Northwell Health
Health Care Innovation
St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center, AGENT: A cutting edge new technology to treat in-stent restenosis
Stony Brook School of Medicine, Clinical Trials Unit
Health Care Staff
Bryan Skilled Home Care Inc.
Mount Sinai South Nassau, Trauma Team
Precision LTC Pharmacy
Stony Brook University, School of Dental Medicine Pediatric Dentistry Outreach Team
Management
Elizabeth Benjamin, WellLife Network
Shalini Bharosay-Manbodh, EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies
Robert Caputo, Precision LTC Pharmacy
Olivier Laurent, Home Care 7twenty6
Mental Health
Dr. Shiby Abraham, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
Samantha Callister, Integrity Treatment Partners
Dora Lupo, Pal-O-Mine Equestrian
Aubrey Romano, WellLife Network
David Zaleski, Family & Children’s Association (FCA)
Nurse
Daniel LaMarca, St. Charles Hospital
Rose-May Todman, North Shore University Hospital
Physician
Dr. Joshua Bozek, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
Dr. John A. Procaccino, North Shore University Hospital
Dr. Michael Ronan, Optum Medical Care
Dr. Mohitmeet Singh, St. Charles Hospital
Dr. Conan Tu, Optum Medical Care
Volunteer
Gary P. Carpenter, Gary Carpenter and Associates Inc.
WellLife Network Food Pantries Team: Tanya Bridges, Toscha Hamilton, Kelly Savage, Patricia Spring
