The Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) announced the winners of its 2012 awards program at its annual conference in Miami. The eight awards are reserved for association-nominated individuals who have shown great leadership and achievement in the healthcare foodservice industry.
The 2012 AHF award winners include the following:
Lifetime Achievement Award: 
Laura Watson, director of patient support services at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is AHF's highest award. It recognizes members who best exemplify the leadership and spirit of Jacques Bloch and Angelo Gagliano the founders of our legacy organizations.
[Photo: Laura Watson (center) accepts the award from Mary Angela Miller (left) and Kris Schroeder (right).]
(View a video of the presentation here)
AHF Making a Difference Award: 
Marty Rothschild, president of Aladdin Temp-Rite
The AHF Making a Difference Award recognizes business partner and media partners. It is given in memory of John Cabot whose continued involvement and support over two decades helped define the partnership between operators and business partners.
Exemplary Leadership Award: 
Becky Amt, director of nutrition service/safety officer at Indiana University Health Morgan Hospital
The AHF Exemplary Leadership Award is given in memory of Don Marsh and recognizes a member who best reflects operational excellence and / or contributions to regional, local chapters or networking meetings.
Future Horizons Award: 
Yusie Kim, retail services supervisor at NYU Langone Medical Center
The Future Horizons Award recognizes members who have practiced in the healthcare foodservice industry for five years or less, who are new to management and who demonstrate a desire for future growth through contributions to their hospitals or community.
Partnership in Leadership Award: 
Jim Behnke, Director of nutrition services (Operator Member) and Jay Dennard, COO (Administrator) at Gwinnett Medical Center
The Partnership in Leadership Award recognizes member facilities that demonstrate a strong commitment to self-operation and who support the foodservice department leader.
Spotlight Award: 
Steve Howell, director of nutrition services at Lexington Medical Center and Tom Thaman, foodservice director at Wishard Health Services
The Spotlight Award recognizes an operator member who has enhanced operations through technology, program development, implementation, innovation and /or creative use of financial management.
Publication Award: 
Jim McGrody, director of food & nutrition at REX Healthcare
Recognizes a member who exemplifies the memory of James C. Rose's leadership and contributions in publications.
President Special Service Awards: Todd Griffith of Alto-Shaam, Inc.; Dan Henroid of the University of California San Francisco Medical Center; and Julie Jones of Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University.
The AHF President may recognize members for outstanding community service, strong media support for AHF members and committee contributions.
Annual AHF Culinary Competition
In the AHF annual culinary competition, sponsored by Tyson Foodservice, AHF recognized Tyran Lawson, retail services coordinator, and Executive Chef Ryan Conklin, from REX Healthcare in Raleigh,
NC, with first place for their creation, Chicken “Ropa Vieja” with Heirloom Black Barley Mango Jicama Salad and Plantain Mojo Sauce.
[View video here]
[photo: "Ropo Vieja" as prepared by the REX Healthcare team]
Second place went to Nelson Sangurima, patient services manager, and Executive Chef John Graziano of The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ, for their Cuban Inspired Spring Roll with Tropical Mojito Dipping Sauce and Jicama Slaw.
The third place award went to Joanne McMillian, food & nutrition director, and Executive Chef Aatul Jain from Saint Clare’s Health System in Denville, NJ, for their Cubano Chicken accented with “Seafoam” and “Sand.