KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — ImageFIRST®, a provider of linen, laundry, and facility services specializing in the healthcare industry, recently named the winners of its fifth annual HeroesFIRST Contest and second annual ServiceSTARS Contest.
HEROESFIRST
Each year, ImageFIRST service team members recognize exceptional healthcare heroes who go above and beyond to positively impact the lives of their patients. This year, more than 600 nominations were submitted nationwide.
From these, 20 healthcare heroes were selected as finalists. Votes were cast by the public on the contest’s website for the hero who inspired them the most. Following the nationwide vote, the heroes who received the most votes will be awarded a cash prize, totaling $16,500. (If preferred, an equivalent donation will be made to a charity of their choice.)
The 2025 HeroesFIRST top eight winners are:
- Javen Hinojosa, Edinburg (Texas) Regional Medical Center
- Amanda Fricke, Allina Health Surgery Center- Brooklyn Park in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
- Emma Young, Canyon Ridge Surgery Center in Las Vegas
- Taylor Miech, Boston IVF in Providence, R.I.
- Talania Cook, Children's West Surgery Center in Knoxville, Tenn.
- Cheryl Dicus, Durango Outpatient Surgery Center in Las Vegas
- Anthony Whitley, Novant Health in Winston-Salem, N.C.
- Debra Bell, Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center in Middlebury, Ind.
The HeroesFIRST campaign highlights heartwarming stories of healthcare professionals whose quiet acts of kindness and dedication make a lasting difference.
“Javen (Hinojosa) was nominated by our team for his dedication to emergency care and his continuous pursuit of excellence,” says Darwin Trujeque, an ImageFIRST linen technician in Weslaco, Texas. “With prior experience as a paramedic, five years as an ER nurse at STHS Edinburg, and now on the verge of becoming an emergency nurse practitioner, Javen truly embodies the spirit of HeroesFIRST — committed, compassionate, and always ready to serve those in critical need.”
“I am very grateful to have been nominated for the HeroesFIRST award,” Hinojosa shares. “I never ask to be recognized as I am passionate about what I do, and this is the profession that I chose. I am beyond appreciative for such an opportunity, and I want to thank ImageFIRST, my STHS team, friends, family, and supporters for this award.”
“HeroesFIRST is a reflection of the values we share with the healthcare industry,” says ImageFIRST CEO Edward H. Orzetti. “Every year, we’re moved by the stories of quiet leadership and compassion in action.
“These individuals don’t seek the spotlight, but their actions speak volumes. This campaign brings those stories forward and reminds us why our work matters.”
Runners-up in the 2025 HeroesFIRST Contest were Trina Kjos, Lakeville, Minn.; Kala Leugers, Lexington, Ky.; Lisa Harvey, Redwood City, Calif.; Barb Herman, Salem, Ore.; Brenda Rand, Kansas City, Mo.; Liana MacDevitt, Houston; Nicole Sheehan, Newton, Mass.; Marcella Gordon, San Antonio; Lisa Gilbert, Portland, Maine; Marnie Doyle, Johnstown, Colo.; Melanie Nowak, Crystal City, Mo.; and Tiffany Yuhas, Los Angeles.
SERVICESTARS
ImageFIRST celebrated hospitality professionals with its second Annual ServiceSTARS Contest. ImageFIRST service team members recognize exceptional hospitality professionals who go above and beyond to enhance the guest experience. After receiving an overwhelming number of nomination submissions from the service team, 10 stars were chosen as finalists.
Votes were cast by the public on the contest’s website for the star who inspired them the most. The stars who received the most votes will be awarded a cash prize, totaling $8,250. (If preferred, an equivalent donation will be made to a charity of their choice.)
The 2025 ServiceSTARS top four winners are:
- Dawn Battey, Los Cabos Broken Arrow (Okla.)
- Glory Wells, Wanda J's Next Generation in Tulsa, Okla.
- Kim Merrell, Red Rock Country Club in Las Vegas
- Arturo Zepeda, Cruise America in Las Vegas
The ServiceSTARS Contest was filled with many heartwarming stories that deeply impacted ImageFIRST associates and customers.
“Dawn (Battey) is known for her exceptional professionalism and respect at work,” says Rick Deckard, an ImageFIRST service director in Bartlesville, Okla. “What truly makes her remarkable is her involvement outside of work, through her dedication and passion for various pet organizations and the community.”
“ServiceSTARS showed me how much my work in the industry has connected me with so many amazing people,” says Battey, general manager at Los Cabos Broken Arrow. “I feel honored that so many voted for me and that many were able to see and hear about the amazing organizations that I volunteer with.”
“Behind every positive guest experience is someone who made the effort to go above and beyond,” says ImageFIRST Oklahoma General Manager Catherine Smith. “Each nominee represents the values that define great service — attentiveness, empathy and a commitment to excellence.
“The ServiceSTARS contest brings these moments to the forefront, reminding us of the people who are at the core of great service. On behalf of all ImageFIRST associates, congratulations to this year’s nominees, finalists, and winners.”
The 2025 ServiceSTARS runners-up were John Sethney, Boulder, Colo.; Elizabeth Thibodeau, Casco, Maine; Philippe Boutinet, Fort Collins, Colo.; Dan Philip, Rochester, N.H.; Julie Odle, Cripple Creek, Colo.; and Bhati Patel, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].
