Meet the 2025 Social Health Award Finalists
We're thrilled to announce the finalists for our 2025 Social Health Awards! Our judges and internal team were deeply moved by the opportunity to learn more about the incredible advocacy work of our Health Leaders. Coming together to honor one another reminds us how vital social health is.
We are constantly amazed by our Health Leaders. Living with or caring for someone with a chronic or terminal illness is no easy feat, and their tireless work is absolutely worth celebrating. Whether through unique advocacy efforts or by supporting their fellow Health Leaders, their contributions are truly invaluable.
Congratulations!
We couldn't be more excited to recognize these incredible finalists. The passion that our community of Health Leaders, warriors, survivors, advocates, and influencers have is immeasurable.
All finalists will be individually notified via email and sent next-step communications.
Determining the winners
The 50 Social Health Awards finalists will be reviewed and scored by our finalist judging panel, comprised of industry professionals, Health Leaders, and experts, to uncover the ten Social Health Award winners.
Winners will be announced during our virtual award ceremony on September 12th. Winners will receive a prize pack to honor their achievements, which includes a personalized Social Health Awards plaque, a $500 cash prize, a compensated seat on the 2026 Health Union Patient Leadership Council, a year membership to the Society for Participatory Medicine (SPM), and more. And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for.
The 2025 Social Health Awards Finalists are...
Advocacy Trailblazer
Allie Signorelli
Bianca Ordonez
Jamie Nicole
Thomas Silvera
Valarie Traynham
Category description: There is no "right way" to advocate – and that's the best part of health leadership. This category seeks to recognize the countless ways leaders bring innovation. Although endless possibilities exist, we've seen leaders blaze a trail with new products, books, content, events, communities, and collaborations. Pushing the limits and paving a new path for others through education, raising awareness, or supporting their community, these individuals approach their advocacy by thinking out of the box.
Category description: The Best Team category recognizes a team or group that takes their activism to new heights because of the assistance from one another. Whether it be a group that runs an online chat, a non-profit organization, or a caregiver and patient duo – this award celebrates those bringing a team effort to their advocacy!
Caregiving Champion
Ashley Overfield
Bekah Erway
Lacey Adkins
Marla Murasko
Tameka Simmons
Category description: Not all patient leaders share their own patient journeys. The Caregiving Champion category is for caregivers who tirelessly raise awareness to better the lives of loved ones. Though they themselves may not be sick, they are the caregivers of children, siblings, parents, significant others, or friends who have an invaluable up-close-and-personal perspective.
Community Cultivator
Amy Thompson
Danica Collins
Jennifer Weaver
Shrenik Shah
Jennifer Passmore
Category description: A diagnosis can be life-changing, but fortunately, so can the support from an online community. The Community Cultivator category celebrates the online communities or forums that create an inviting space for newcomers while maintaining a safe place people have come to respect and rely on. Whether through online support groups, live events, or forum discussions – these leaders have mastered managing, moderating, and engaging their communities all for the purpose of supporting others.
Creative Contributor
Chelsey Gomez
Devon Schlegel and Kelly DeSousa, Indigo Art Therapy Studio
Melissa Reynolds
Myisha Malone-King
Samantha Salvaggio Vanderman
Category description: There are so many avenues when it comes to patient advocacy. The Creative Contributor category recognizes the individuals taking a creative approach to raising awareness. Think about patient leaders transforming their advocacy into clothing, cards, jewelry shops, comic creation, and more! This category celebrates those bringing advocacy to the marketplace.
Healthcare Collaborator
Clarinda Cerejo
Danica Collins
Daniel Newman
Jamie Nicole
Marisa Zeppieri
Category description: The Healthcare Collaborator category is for the advocates bridging the gaps between industry stakeholders and healthcare consumers. Whether speaking at conferences, consulting with healthcare companies, or using their experience to help make change in the healthcare industry, these patient leaders are impacting the healthcare landscape at large.
Lifetime Achievement
Brindley Brooks
Cheryl Dowling
Natalie Hayden
Nathan Smiddy
ShayLee Hunter
Category description: Some patient leaders are true stars who continue to shine and don't fit into just one category. The Lifetime Achievement Award is for the veteran patient leaders, who after years of advocacy achievements, stand as role models for the entire online health community. Let's recognize the advocacy leaders that inspire all of us year after year!
Revolutionary Researcher
Brigitte Ouabo
Eric Singhi
Marleah Dean Kruzel
Rachel Hill
Tori Ford
Category description:This category aims to celebrate the patients and caregivers who refuse to let medical jargon and data slow them down! The winner stays up-to-date on the latest research, treatments, and clinical trials. This patient leader has a knack for transforming complex information into layman's terms for the greater community to act on.
Rookie of the Year
Alexia Vernon
Kimberly Boddie
Nicole Richards
Paige Williams
Stephanie Wynn
Category description: As anyone in advocacy knows, communities aren't built overnight! Sharing your story and impacting a community takes time and patience, so let's encourage those who are recently empowered as patient leaders. The Rookie of the Year category celebrates the advocates who may be new to the scene, but continue to show the utmost potential. This category is typically for patient leaders with 1 to 3 years of experience.
Social Media Master
Allison Tennyson
Cheryl Dowling
Gerry Langan
Imani Futrell
Victoria Voos
Category description: Whether posting to Instagram, hosting Facebook Lives, uploading YouTube videos, or stitching the latest TikTok trend, the Social Media Master category recognizes the patients and caregivers leveraging social platforms for advocacy. This individual is sharing their story and fostering community through one or many social channels. With so many in-app social features, we seek to celebrate all the creative ways health leaders use social media to impact their condition areas.
Congratulations to all of our finalists and nominees
We'd love to see you at the Awards Ceremony on September 12th, 2025, where we will crown the Award Winners!
The patient journey is the foundation of healthcare. Thank you to ALL Health Leaders for using your voices to share your stories and uplift your communities. Your vulnerability helps others feel less alone in their own journeys every single day.
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