Panera Bread, Big Y of Norwich, and the town of Plainfield were celebrated for their continued support of Backus Hospital; and retired radiologist Manuel Kadish, MD, was given the Backus Lifetime Achievement Award during the 6th annual Backus Bennies — the hospital’s annual awards ceremony for benefactors held in the East Region System Support Office at 11 Stott Ave. in Norwich on Friday, March 31.
The town of Plainfield was awarded the Community Health Champion Award for its support of the Plainfield Backus Emergency Care Center which opened in 2012 and for the Backus Center for Specialty Care which is set to open this spring.
“You don’t know how much having the Emergency Department here in town means to the people of Plainfield,” said Plainfield First Selectman Paul Sweet, who accepted the award on behalf of the town and jokingly told about how disturbed he was when he heard the thunderous engines of the LIFE STAR helicopter when it first landed at the Emergency Care Center.
Big Y of Norwich was awarded the Business Partners in Care Award for their annual Partners of Hope Campaign in support of the Backus Breast Cancer Survivors Fund, which funds many projects and programs related to breast cancer. The Bennie for Special Event Champion went to Panera and Howley Bread Group for their annual Spook-A-Thon Halloween event which raises money for Backus initiatives that enhance care for local cancer patients.
Retired radiologist Manuel “Manny” Kadish, MD, who helped build the foundation of the Backus radiology department nearly 50 years ago, was awarded the Backus’ Lifetime Achievement Award during the event.
“It is the technologists who helped make the department what it was then and what it is now,” Kadish said.
Backus President Bimal Patel thanked supporters and gave an update on hospital initiatives, including a master facilities plan that will entail renovations to the hospital to improve the patient, family and staff experience. He also announced plans to mark Backus’ 125 anniversary set for next year.
“What better way to celebrate our past than by fortifying our future,” Patel said.
The event called “Great Moments in Film” and modeled after the Academy Awards included classic movie clips and video tributes to recipients and hospital innovations.
Backus Office of Philanthropy and Development Program Manager Gen Schies thanked recipients, benefactors and staff for their continued support.
“You are truly making a difference in the lives of our local families and friends,” Schies said. “In light of everything that’s happening in the world and our nation, I am heartened to know that there are good people right here doing good things to help one another.”