Francis is a full-time firefighter and part-time nurse at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia. Before serving in these life-saving capacities, Fran was a Paramedic. Firefighting runs in Fran’s family. His father was a retired Philadelphia Fire Department Captain who served for more than 30 years.
On July 4, 2012, Fran entered a smoke-filled home and heard a woman in distress on the 2nd floor. When Fran found her, she was trapped, panicked and out of breathe from breathing in too much smoke. In a split-second decision, Fran took a big breath, removed his tank and put it on the woman. Both got out safely, although Fran was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Fran later met the woman he saved, and presented her with about $500 of his own overtime pay to help her and her family.
On April 9, Fran was injured in a warehouse fire. He was inspecting an adjacent building to the warehouse when the wall and roof began to fall. Fran was buried in the rubble but managed to dig himself out. Two of Fran’s Ladder 10 firefighter brothers, Lt. Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, were killed in the fire and and Firefighter Patrick Nally sustained serious injuries. Fran was able to return to work 3 weeks later. Fran donated his Hero of the Month prize money to the Philadelphia Firefighters Local 22 Widow’s Fund and the assistance in healthcare fund at the Cancer Treatment Center of America .
Officer Mansfield started his career in law enforcement officer at the age of 25, and now has been serving his community for more than 37 years. Before retiring in 2012, he served with the North Salt Lake Police, Woods Cross Police, Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Adult Probation and Parole, the Midvale City Police, and Utah Transit Authority Police Department.
Colleagues and Family say that he is trustworthy, honest, sincere, and has always stood up for those in danger. In one particular case, Officer Mansfield stopped theft of arcade tokens used for boarding transit trains and his investigation led to eight arrests. Officer Mansfield has suffered multiple injuries in the line of duty, including a life-threatening gunshot to the leg.
He stays busy as a security officer and volunteer Chaplain at the local children’s hospital. He also serves as Chaplain of his local American Legion Post. Officer Mansfield is active in many community activities, also active in several cancer support groups, as he is a cancer survivor himself. He has received many awards, including a Purple Heart and the Medal of Valor for saving a fellow officer’s life.
Beth is a Registered Nurse working in the ambulatory surgery unit of an Illinois hospital. Beth was nominated by friend and fellow nurse, Terri, for her exceptional patient care and overall admirable attitude. After Terri first nominated Beth, the letters began to flood in. When all was said and done, we received more than 14 individual letters about Beth- more than any other Nominate a Hero candidate thus far-from patients, coworkers (Nurses and Doctors), and even the Mayor.
To highlight Beth and show you some of the reasons our audiences voted her our July Nominate a Hero winner, we have included some excerpts from her nomination letters here:
I have experienced firsthand… that she is an extremely caring and dedicated nurse always going above and beyond the call of duty in all aspects of her professions. Beth contributes significantly her knowledge and experience to nursing colleagues and other care givers and is well-respected by all members of the healthcare team. She is a great people person and shares laughter throughout the working day, all while maintaining a professional atmosphere and putting the patient first.
– Mayor Ezard, City of Jacksonville
Beth’s official title is “Registered Nurse” but to those who know her she is much more than that. She is a friend, a confidante, a staunch supporter of patient safety and an unyielding opponent of poor or apathetic care.
– Peter R., M.D.
Beth is a constant example of the positive attitude and upbeat personality we all aspire to display.
– S. Ford, R.N.
I am the nurse I am today because of her mentoring and role modeling… Beth’s ability to relate and communicate with patients and families had the biggest impact on me.
– Leanne W., Clinical Director and Manager
Rarely have I met someone of Beth’s caliber… Our deaf patients adore her because she interacts with them directly and treats them with respect… Beth’s sense of humor and experience put the patient at ease. Each patient feels like they are getting undivided attention. She is successful at all of her endeavors and a leader among her colleagues.
– Joan O., Colleague
Here is why her coworker, Terri, chose to nominate Beth in the first place:
Roger has been a deputy sheriff for the past 5 years. He was destined for public service, starting his career as a volunteer firefighter at 18, then as a volunteer deputy while having a full-time job. Roger is also very involved with the Red Cross. He received certification from the OSU fire service while still in high school.
Roger dedicated many years to the Brushy Mountain Fire Dept. During a wildfire, with a year-long drought working against him, Roger drove the only running water truck to nearby houses, until neighboring departments could help. His efforts saved 5 families’ homes.
In 2004, Roger joined with American Red Cross to help Hurricane Katrina evacuees from New Orleans relocating to Oklahoma. Locally, Roger was the Disaster Action Team Leader, responding to fires within the four counties he was in charge of. Roger’s family tells us that he takes time out of his schedule to volunteer as a senior counselor at Oklahoma boy’s state and has been since 2004. As counselor in charge of Police academy, he shows teenagers the aspects of the duties of police officers.. Roger also works with local business for sponsorships for students to participate each year.
In 2008, Roger joined the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve officer. Colleagues of Roger say they can always count on him, no matter what time, day or night. Roger speaks and visits local schools to talk and interact with children about Law Enforcement.
Mark and Jessica met under the worst of circumstances. A driver crashed into a car carrying Jessica and her daughter, Kendra, on a backwoods rural road. Mark and his team responded to the scene. As responders worked on freeing Jessica from the vehicle, she remembers Mark crawling into the car beside her, assessing her medical state and updating her on Kendra’s condition. “He not only took care of me that day, he held my hand, made me human not just a patient,” remembers Jessica. Following the accident, Mark traveled to check on Jessica’s daughter after she underwent brain surgery. Even now, Mark continues to keep tabs on Kendra, responding whenever she has a medical emergency, even if he’s off-duty, and organizing fellow firefighters to help build a wheelchair ramp for her home. Seven years after their fateful meeting, the three remain close friends.
From Left to Right: Kendra, Mark, Jessica, Willy, and Bill.
Mark, Willy, and Bill all responded to the accident.
Francis is a full-time firefighter and part-time nurse at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia. Before serving in these life-saving capacities, Fran was a Paramedic. Firefighting runs in Fran’s family. His father was a retired Philadelphia Fire Department Captain who served for more than 30 years.
He stays busy as a security officer and volunteer Chaplain at the local children’s hospital. He also serves as Chaplain of his local American Legion Post. Officer Mansfield is active in many community activities, also active in several cancer support groups, as he is a cancer survivor himself. He has received many awards, including a Purple Heart and the Medal of Valor for saving a fellow officer’s life.
Beth is a Registered Nurse working in the ambulatory surgery unit of an Illinois hospital. Beth was nominated by friend and fellow nurse, Terri, for her exceptional patient care and overall admirable attitude. After Terri first nominated Beth, the letters began to flood in. When all was said and done, we received more than 14 individual letters about Beth- more than any other Nominate a Hero candidate thus far-from patients, coworkers (Nurses and Doctors), and even the Mayor.
Roger has been a deputy sheriff for the past 5 years. He was destined for public service, starting his career as a volunteer firefighter at 18, then as a volunteer deputy while having a full-time job. Roger is also very involved with the Red Cross. He received certification from the OSU fire service while still in high school.