Beth DuPree Is Our 2012 Health Hero

Dr. Beth DuPree with her team of supporters // Photograph by Zoey Sless-Kitain

Last night, we partied it up Health Hero-style in the beautiful penthouse at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in Center City. We invited the 16 Health Hero semi-finalists and their supporters to celebrate the contest and reveal the winner. I was very excited to announce that Dr. Beth DuPree, breast surgeon and medical director for Holy Redeemer’s Breast Health Program, was the winner of our first-ever Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge, as decided by your votes. She took home a $2,500 donation for her charity, the Healing Consciousness Foundation, which works to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients through holistic approaches, lifestyle changes and education. Check out a video of Beth’s acceptance speech over on our Facebook page.

Our three runners-up—Students Run Philly Style’s Heather McDanel, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Stephen Brown, and Marino’s Body Shop’s Chris Marino, who played for the Police Athletic League—each took home $250 for their charities.

Our sponsor and partner for the contest, UnitedHealthcare, was also on hand to present a check for $5,000 to the American Heart Association. If you remember during the contest, UnitedHealthcare had generously offered to donate $1 to AHA for every vote, up to $5,000. Our readers blew the lid off that goal, racking up nearly 10,000 votes in the contest. Which, when you think about it, makes you a Health Hero, too!

Thanks to everyone who came out last night, and to all of our readers who participated in the contest for the past few months. And a big, special thanks to our 16 contenders—keep up the amazing work you’re doing to help make Philly a healthier place!

Check out the slideshow below for more photos from the party. All photographs are by Zoey Sless-Kitain.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.