Joseph Rogers, Ph.D, president and senior scientist at Sun Health Research Institute, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 Health Care Heroes Awards breakfast presented by Blue Cross Shield of Arizona.

Eleven other providers were honored in 10 categories at the event sponsored by the Phoenix Business Journal, Abrazo Health Care, Phoenix Childrens Hospital, A.T. Still University, Delta Dental and The Plaza Cos.

Rogers is internationally recognized for his pioneering research on the damage inflammation does to brain tissue in Alzheimer's patients. The breakthrough investigative techniques by Rogers and collaborating scientists allow researchers to test different treatments that may have a positive impact on Alzheimers and other pervasive human disorders.

Health Care Heroes Awards also were presented for the first time to honorees in three new categories:

First Responder: Chris Crockett, commander o Public Affairs Bureau, Phoenix Police Department.

Education: Barbara Kavanagh, president and founder of Arizona Myeloma Network; and Craig Phelps, D.O., FAOASM, provost of A.T. Still University.

Service Philanthropy: Judy Mohraz, Ph.D., president of the The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

Other winners by category were:

Community Outreach: James Washington, director of school based clinics for AbrazoHealth Care.

Dental: Doug Beischel, DDS, chief of staff at John C. Lincoln Children's Dental Care.

Nurse: Elizabeth Campbell, clinical program manager for T-Gen.

Nurse Leader: Sue Hanauer, vice president of patient care services at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital.

Physician: Dr. Oliver Harper, senior physician and co-founder of Banner Arizona Medical Clinic.

Research/Innovator: William Duckworth, VA researcher for Phoenix VA Health CareSystem.

Volunteer: Gary Held, president of My Guy Remodeling.

Thirty-one finalists were nominated in the 11 categories. Finalists were:

*Community Outreach: Gene Felker, All Sports Foundation; Brenda Gust, Phoenix VA Health Care System; James Washington, Abrazo Health Care - School Based Clinics

*Dental: Larry Ambrose, M.D., Phoenix VA Health Care System; Doug Beischel, D.D.S., John C. Lincoln Children's Dental Clinic; Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., MPH, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University

*Education: Barbara Kavanagh, Arizona Myeloma Network (AZMN); Craig Phelps, D.O., FAOASM

*First Responder: Bentley Bobrow, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services & Trauma Systems - Arizona Department of Health Services; Chris Crockett, City of Phoenix Police Department

*Lifetime Achievement: Dan C. Coleman, John C. Lincoln Health Network; Joseph Rogers, Ph.D., Sun Health Research Institute; Joan Rankin Shapiro, M.D. & William Shapiro, M.D., Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center

*Nurse: Elizabeth Campbell, TGen; Anita Puntney, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center; Sandra Trotter-Jones, Phoenix Children's Hospital

*Nurse Leader: Deborah Fuller, Phoenix Health Plan; Sue Hanauer, John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital; Kathryn Ludwig, Maryvale Hospital

*Physician: Dr. Robert Baron, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area & Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center; Dr. Gordon Ewy, University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center; Dr. Oliver Harper, Banner Arizona Medical Clinic

*Researcher/Innovator: William Duckworth, Phoenix VA Health Care System; Mark C. Preul M.D. & Team, Neurosurgery Research Laboratory - Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center; Dr. Ronald S. Weinstein, University of Arizona - College of Medicine - Arizona Telemedicine Program

*Service Philanthropy: Marjorie Crowl, TriWest Healthcare Alliance; Karlene Keogh, The Keogh Health Foundation; Judy Mohraz, Ph.D., The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

*Volunteer: Duane & Gloria Hauser, West Valley Hospital; Gary Held, My Guy Remodeling; Peggy Pollay, Sun Health Auxiliary