Introducing the 2023 Be Well Philly Health Hero
We're thrilled to announce this year's winner, and to have celebrated our finalists.
A recap of the 2023 Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge reception. / Photography by Theresa Regan
After hundreds of nominations, thousands of votes, and months of waiting, we finally announced the winner of the 2023 Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge presented by Independence Blue Cross on December 5th at the Penn Museum. Read about this year’s winner and finalists, and check out all the photos of the event by photographer Theresa Regan.
The 2023 challenge marks the 12th year of the Health Hero Challenge, which recognizes local medical professionals, frontline health workers, nonprofit leaders, teachers, coaches, entrepreneurs, and community activists who are working to improve health outcomes and general wellness for those living in and around Philadelphia.
During Tuesday evening’s event, Chris Rathke of Independence Blue Cross and Katie Bruno, publisher of Philadelphia magazine, welcomed guests, spoke about the long-running program, and honored this year’s finalists and semi-finalists.
And then, after all the anticipation, we were thrilled to finally announce the 2023 Be Well Philly Health Hero: Martino Cartier, celebrity stylist and owner of his eponymous hair salon in Sewell. As this year’s winner, Cartier received a $15,000 donation to his charity of choice, Wigs and Wishes. The nonprofit — which Cartier founded over a decade ago — provides high-end hair replacement to women going through chemotherapy and grants wishes to children battling cancer.
Our two runners-up — Alexia Doumbouya, a doula and the founder of pregnancy and postpartum organization Cocolife.Black, and Stefanie Glick, founder of no-cost depression support group LiveWell Foundation — each received $2,500 for their selected charities, Cocolife.Black and LiveWell Foundation, respectively.
Thank you to all the individuals who were nominated for this year’s Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge presented by Independence Blue Cross, especially the 10 semi-finalists; two runners-up, Alexia Doumbouya and Stefanie Glick; and our winner, Martino Cartier.
We’d also like to thank Penn Museum for hosting us, and our presenting sponsor, Independence Blue Cross, who continues to make this program happen year after year. And to our incredible Be Well Philly community, we appreciate your participation and your support of health heroes everywhere!
