Healthcare heroes.

Not all heroes wear capes--many wear scrubs, or lab coats, or unassuming shirts and ties. Utah's army of highly educated and skilled medical professionals is formidable, and within that stellar group are some who go far above and beyond their elite calling. From dedicated volunteers to keen-eyed administrators, and nurses and doctors and everything in between, we've collected some of the best of the best to recognize as this year's Flealthcare Fleroes. Join us as we thank them for helping make Utah a healthier and happier place to live.

HEALTHCARE HEROES

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

KENT JONES, MD

Cardiovascular Surgeon, Intermountain Medical Center

It took trying on two other careers before Dr. KENT JONES found his calling as a cardiovascular surgeon. Plan A was to be a professional baseball player, and when Plan A fell through, Plan B was to be a dentist. Plan B only lasted about 10 days before Jones realized he'd made a mistake, left dental school, and started medical school instead. In his first semester, he already knew he wanted to be a heart surgeon.

"The rewarding experience was knowing very shortly after starting medical school that this is where I belonged," says Jones. "I have never regretted this decision and have spent the past 40 years doing something that I truly love."

Since then, Jones has placed more than 1,700 mechanical valves and 1,000 bioprosthetic valves, been the principal investigator or sub-investigator in 15 grant-funded research studies, and an author in 50 other studies. In 1985, he performed the first heart transplant procedure at LDS Hospital and the second ever in the Intermountain states. He is also active in various regional and national healthcare organizations.

"Given the many challenges that we now face in the medical profession, never forget or lose sight of the main reason we chose this profession--to administer the best possible healthcare to our patients," he says

MARY TALBOYS

Administrator

University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute

For 30 years, MARY TALBOYS was a fixture at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute, a force of nature and a champion of mental health, wellness and compassionate service.

On January 30, Talboys passed away, leaving behind a lasting legacy within the institute and in the community at large.

In 1985, Talboys was the first employee hired at the institute, put on the payroll before the institute even had a place to call home. At the time, Talboys was a single mother who had just returned to college and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in social work.

She quickly distinguished herself as champion of mental health, and was invaluable in the creation in many of the institute's programs and practices. Among her ideas is what is now known as Be Well Utah, which encourages and celebrates comprehensive health and wellness, and Womenade, SLC, a nonprofit organization created to promote self-sufficiency for women.

While colleagues point to her steel will and tenacity in fighting for those who struggle with mental health issues, they also describe her as a generous, patient mentor with a quick smile and contagious enthusiasm.

"UNI will always bear the hallmark of Mary's unique approach: her unwavering commitment not only to quality patient care and employee empowerment, but selfless community service," says Ross VanVranken, executive director of UNI. "Her fingerprints are everywhere."

HEALTHCARE HEROES HUMANITARIAN CARE

THOMAS DICKINSON, MD

Gastroenterologist, Revere Health

Dr. THOMAS DICKINSON says providing humanitarian healthcare "is such a refreshing and even soul-healing opportunity to experience why we went into medicine in the first place--to be in a circumstance where we can use our gifts and talents to improve the life of another."

In addition to his gastroenterology practice at Revere Health, Dickinson serves as the chief health officer for Orem-based International Aid Service Kids, a nonprofit that helps provide medical care in the Dominican Republic. Dickinson was instrumental in raising funds to build a free health clinic in Bayaguana, Dominican Republic, and he returns there often to provide care, and recruit and train local clinicians.

"As important as the actual care or relief of suffering is, the real gift we bring is the gift of hope. Our service there says to the people that you haven't been forgotten. We are aware of your suffering," says Dickinson. "The opportunities for expanding our influence in developing countries beyond the individual patient are exponential when you consider the opportunities in public health and meaningful employment within the community." Dickinson also gives aid closer to home, donating patient services to local charitable organization Community Health Connect.

VERNON YAMASHIRO, MD

Obstetrician Hospitalist, St. Mark's Hospital

Dr. VERNON YAMASHIRO was exposed to medicine young--his father was an OB/ GYN, while his mother was a nurse. This experience, coupled with a Christian upbringing that instilled in him a deep and abiding desire to serve others, has guided Yamashiro through his career.

Since becoming a board-certified OB/GYN in 1988, Yamashiro has helped thousands of patients. About 10 years ago, his wife, an ER doctor, was contacted by an old classmate to see if she and Yamashiro would be interested in doing some humanitarian work in Africa. The pair had done humanitarian work in a remote part of India in medical school and fallen in love with the service, and jumped at the chance. The couple is currently planning their ninth trip to Tanzania and have also done one trip to Colombia.

"This work is important to me because, we must give back to the world. We must all find ways to help our fellow man. It doesn't have to be in Africa. It could be here in Utah. Africa is so rewarding, because a little money and effort goes so far," he says. "The work is also important because it changes lives. It has changed my life and I believe many of the people we contact."

HEALTHCARE HEROES

PHYSICIAN

KRISTINE CAMPBELL, MD, MSC

Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics

University of Utah

There are those who do, and there are those who teach--and then there are those like KRISTINE CAMPBELL, who do both with equal skill. Campbell splits her time between providing general care at the South Main Pediatric Clinic of Primary Children's Hospital and educating the next generation of doctors as an associate professor of pediatrics for the University of Utah. Uniform in both of those pursuits is her compassion and respect to patients and those she works with.

Campbell's dedication to caring for children doesn't stop at the doors of the hospital or classroom. She works primarily with children and families of underrepresented backgrounds, including consulting on the medical care needed for those who have been involved with Child Protective Services. Campbell is also working to raise awareness among other medical professionals in regards to...