It all started with the nuns’ laughter.
We were assembled at AVE King of Prussia to take photos for this year’s Healthcare Heroes cover story. As MLT staff photographer Tessa Smucker worked her magic, sisters Betty Burke and Donna Watto of Mercy Health System were leaning over a table listening intently to Marie Robinson, president of Chester County Hospital’s Women Auxiliary. They’d been introduced only moments before, but they were already having a grand time.
I stopped to take in the moment. We were on a tight schedule, and coordinating the busy schedules of the 23 winners was quite an undertaking. Burke, Watto and Robinson joined doctors, nurses, addiction specialists, social workers, nonprofit leaders and a dentist. All were shaking hands, learning about one another’s work, swapping stories and, yes, laughing.
I was lucky to be in the room with these amazing people—and I’ll have that chance again at our Healthcare Heroes event on May 15 at the Desmond Hotel Malvern. This year’s special evening celebration offers attendees a chance to meet our honorees and network with leaders in the local healthcare and business communities. There will be live entertainment, plus delicious food and drink courtesy of the Desmond.
There are other special people in this month’s issue. Members of the Main Line Youth Alliance, a unique group of LGBTQ teenagers, welcomed me into their circle to listen to their stories (click here to read). And there’s also Mark Cassarella who, after being paralyzed at age 16, is walking with the help of a groundbreaking EksoGT bionic exoskeleton (click here to read).
Elsewhere, 20-year-old Malvern-based racecar driver Robert Torres is profiled by senior editor Lisa Dukart, and contributor Katie Kohler introduces us to Delaware County triathlete sensation Jack Larkin—so young and already nationally ranked. May also offers two of our spring favorites: stunning local weddings and the annual Golf Guide, which features a comprehensive directory of the region’s clubs and courses.
We do hope you’ll join us for this year’s Healthcare Heroes event. For tickets and more information, click here.
