Three Crozer Health Employees Named ‘Healthcare Heroes’ by Main Line Today Magazine
Three Crozer Health employees were recently named “Health Care Heroes” by Main Line Today magazine as part of the magazine’s annual feature to recognize local physicians and health care employees who exhibit compassion and altruism that reaches far beyond the work environment. Receiving the honor this year were Mark Prodoehl, interim director of Rehabilitation Services; Robert Reeder, chief of the EMS South Division; and Gwen Smith, president of Springfield Hospital and Vice President of Community Health. Crozer Health had more employees named Health Care Heroes than any other health system.
The outstanding employees, who join a long list of Crozer Health employees and physicians who have earned this honor from the magazine previously, are recognized with photos and stories in the May edition of the magazine. They will also be honored at a special luncheon on May 11 at the Springfield Country Club.
Below are excerpts from the nominations for each of Crozer Health’s 2017 “Health Care Heroes”:
Mark Prodoehl
Mark Prodoehl, interim director of Rehabilitation Services
Anyone who knows Mark Prodoehl will attest to his inspirational mission to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. He is truly doing his part to help spread awareness and helping raise money to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. Prodoehl’s mother, Gloria, fought an intense battle with pancreatic cancer. Sadly, she passed away in February 2013, just a few years after losing her sister Diana to the same disease.
Determined to do their part, Mark and his siblings organized a walk/run in Gloria’s hometown of Springfield in June 2013. The “Gloria Prodoehl & Diana Agozzino Memorial Run/Walk” was immediately embraced by the local community. Three years later it’s still going strong. In total, the Prodoehl family has raised nearly $15,000 for the Lustgarten Foundation.
Robert Reeder
Robert Reeder, chief of the EMS South Division
When not actively engaged in saving lives in Delaware County, Robert Reeder can be found in a classroom. While he’s had a lifelong love of learning, it’s teaching that has become a second calling.
A 2003 training class in Advanced Burn Support sparked a desire to teach the material to other health care professionals. Since then, through a grant from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation, Reeder and a small group of Pennsylvania health care professionals have visited 130 hospitals in Pennsylvania and several other states.
Just as rewarding is his work as a strike team task force leader in the aftermath of Hurricanes Gustav and Sandy. He helped oversee 25 ambulances that assist the beach communities. He has also trained Delco and Chester County coaches on topics ranging from AED use to first aid and concussion, as well as the community in hands-on CPR. Bob Reeder truly lives the “pay it forward” philosophy.
Gwen Smith
Gwen Smith, president of Springfield Hospital and Vice President of Community Health
Gwen Smith is a modern-day Health Care Super Woman. In addition to serving as president of Springfield Hospital, Smith has overseen programs that helped the health system earn the prestigious Foster G. McGaw Award for Excellence in Community Service from the American Hospital Association. These programs have positively benefited thousands of people – from infants to seniors – in Delaware County.
A former nurse in Crozer Health’s renowned Burn Treatment Center, Smith still works at local nursing homes to maintain her nursing license so that she can pitch in at Springfield when staffing is tight. She also oversees a “parish nursing” program that brings health information into location churches; on many weekends, you can find Gwen personally conducting small health fairs for churchgoers.
For more information about Crozer Health, the leading healthcare provider and employer in Delaware County, visit www.crozerkeystone.org.