Celebrate the Teams Who Keep Healthcare Safe

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Nominate your EVS team or healthcare hero for the 2026 Healthcare Heroes Awards

Why It Matters

Healthcare professionals across multiple roles are often the unsung heroes of patient safety. From EVS teams to infection preventionists and emerging leaders, their work ensures clean environments, reduces risk, and protects both patients and staff.

The 2026 Healthcare Heroes campaign expands its recognition with additional award categories, celebrating the individuals and teams who go above and beyond to elevate standards in healthcare every day.

How the Contest Works

Each year, healthcare facilities across the country nominate outstanding individuals and teams—from EVS departments to infection prevention professionals and emerging leaders—to be recognized as Healthcare Heroes. Submissions are reviewed by our team and evaluated based on core values that reflect excellence in healthcare environments:

  1. Exceptional Teamwork – How individuals or teams collaborate to achieve outstanding results.
  2. Camaraderie & Spirit – What makes working with them impactful, positive, and inspiring.
  3. Doing #WhateverItTakes – How they go above and beyond to support patients, staff, and their facility.
  4. Innovative Cleaning Techniques – Creative approaches and measurable contributions that elevate infection prevention and patient safety.

Winners are announced during National EVS Week (September) and celebrated across our channels

Award Categories

Submit your Healthcare
Hero team!

The Healthcare Heroes Contest was created to celebrate the outstanding efforts of Environmental Services (EVS) teams in healthcare facilities across the country. At Contec Professional, we are proud to partner with EVS teams nationwide and recognize their invaluable contributions to healthcare.
 

What You'll Win:

Winners are announced during the 2025 EVS Week (Sept 14-20, 2025). The five (5) selected winners will receive the following:
  • A FREE LUNCH for their EVS team
  • A featured post on the Contec Professional website that includes a picture of their team and a summary of why their director or manager nominated them as "Healthcare Heroes".
 All entrants receive a "Healthcare Heroes" enamel pin: 
HH25 - Enamel Pin
What makes a Healthcare Hero?
  • Exceptional Teamwork - How does your team come together to achieve outstanding results?
  • Camaraderie and Spirit - What makes working with your team enjoyable and fulfilling?
  • Doing #WhateverItTakes - How has your team gone above and beyond to benefit the team or the facility?
  • Innovative Cleaning Techniques - What creative methods or strategies has your team developed to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness?

 

What makes a healthcare hero?

Exceptional Team Work

How does your team come together to achieve outstanding results?
 

Doing #WhateverItTakes

How has your team gone above and beyond to benefit the team
or the facility?
 

Camaraderie and Spirit

What makes working with your team enjoyable and fulfilling?
 

Innovative Cleaning Techniques

What creative methods or strategies has your team developed to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness?
 

The Healthcare Heroes Contest was created to celebrate the outstanding efforts of Environmental Services (EVS) teams in healthcare facilities across the country. We received dozens of inspiring entries showcasing the dedication and innovation of EVS teams who work tirelessly to maintain clean, safe environments for patients and staff. After careful consideration, five winners were selected for their exceptional commitment to infection prevention and patient care. At Contec Professional, we are proud to partner with EVS teams nationwide and recognize their invaluable contributions to healthcare.

2026 Healthcare Heroes
EVS Team Award

2026 HH - EVS Team

Who Qualifies:

  • EVS teams working in hospitals or healthcare facilities
  • Teams demonstrating excellence in collaboration, infection
    prevention, and patient care

What They Win:

•    Team recognition as a Healthcare Hero 
•    Catered team lunch (up to $500) 
•    Featured spotlight in Contec campaign (video + social + email) 
•    Social Media Spotlight Kit

Emerging EVS Leader (Under 35)

2026 HH - EVS Emerging Leader Hero

Who Qualifies:

  • EVS professionals under 35
  • Demonstrating leadership, innovation, and growth potential

What They Win:

  • 2027 AHE Membership + Ticket to 2027 AHE Exchange
  • “Emerging EVS Leader” Trophy
  • $250–$500 Personal Award
  • Featured profile and career spotlight

EVS Individual Healthcare Hero Award

2026 HH - Individual EVS Hero

Who Qualifies:

  • Individual EVS staff member
  • Goes above and beyond in daily responsibilities

What They Win:

  • $500 Cash Prize or Equivalent Gift Card
  • Premium Award
  • Featured story across campaign 

Infection Prevention Hero

2026 HH - Infection Prevention Hero

Who Qualifies:

  • Infection Preventionists or professionals supporting infection control
  • Individuals driving measurable improvements in patient safety

What They Win:

  • 2027 APIC Attendance Ticket
  • Custom Award
  • Featured Thought Leadership Interview
  • Donation to Hospital Department

Contec Professional's 2025 Healthcare Heroes

Naval Medical Center - Portsmouth

Naval Medical Center - Portsmouth

Portsmouth, Virginia

 
yale new haven_1

Yale New Haven Hospital

New Haven, Connecticut
Allegheny General Hospital

Allegheny General Hospital

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

 
Van Buren County Hospital

Van Buren County Hospital

Keosauqua, Iowa

 
Clark Regional Medical Center

Clark Regional Medical Center

Winchester, Kentucky

 
Valley Childrens Hospital

Valley Children’s Hospital

Madera, California

 

Contec Professional's 2024 Healthcare Heroes

HH24 - Orlando Regional Medical Center

Orlando Regional Medical Center

Orlando, Florida

 
HH24 - AnMed

AnMed Medical Center

Anderson, South Carolina
HH24 - Providence St Joseph

Providence St. Joseph Orange Hospital

Orange, California
HH24 - St. Vincents

St. Vincent's Medical Center Southside

Jacksonville, Florida

 
HH24 - New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley

New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Campus

Cortlandt, New York

 
HH24 - Orlando Regional Medical Center

Orlando Regional Medical Center

Orlando, Florida

The ORMC EVS team has shown extraordinary compassion and dedication to patients, such as retrieving a patient’s lost prayer blanket. From building strong patient connections to ensuring a safe and clean environment, their commitment goes far beyond their duties, making a lasting impact on both patients and staff through their genuine care and tireless efforts.

St. Vincent's Medical Center Southside

Jacksonville, Florida

St. Vincent’s EVS team has embraced innovation by transitioning to disposable cleaning products, significantly improving safety and reducing workplace injuries. Their switch to disposable mops and cloths has led to cost savings and efficiency while maintaining a spotless, safe environment for patients and staff. EVS Director Kimbal Chevallier said their dedication has resulted in 575 safety days incident-free.
HH24 - St. Vincents
HH24 - AnMed

AnMed Medical Center

Anderson, South Carolina
AnMed’s EVS team has proven to be a resilient force, excelling in infection prevention and patient care. Their switch to disposable mops and wipes has drastically reduced cross-contamination, helping achieve an HCAHPS cleanliness score of 77.06%. Despite staffing challenges, they consistently perform with excellence and a smile, setting a high standard for hospital cleanliness.

New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Campus

Cortlandt, New York

The EVS team at New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley takes pride in ensuring patient safety and a clean environment by reviewing daily quality metrics and implementing infection prevention protocols. Their dedication goes beyond cleaning, as they build meaningful connections with patients and staff, providing comfort and support during difficult times. Their camaraderie and teamwork foster a positive, healing environment.
HH24 - New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley
HH24 - Providence St Joseph

Providence St. Joseph Orange Hospital

Orange, California

Providence St. Joseph’s EVS team, in partnership with Goodwill of Orange County, has created a more inclusive workforce by employing individuals with developmental disabilities. This program has empowered individuals while maintaining the highest standards of care, safety, and cleanliness throughout the hospital. Their dedication to diversity and inclusion exemplifies true healthcare heroism.

Don’t Miss the 2026 Contest!

Nominations for the 2026 Healthcare Heroes contest will open next year, June 1, 2026 — and you don’t want to miss your chance to recognize the heroes in your facility.

Sign up today for our Contec Professional newsletter and be among the first to hear when the contest opens, receive exclusive updates, and get inspired by stories from EVS teams making a difference nationwide.

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