Special to the News-Sun
FORT MYERS - Samira K. Beckwith, president and chief executive officer of Hope HealthCare Services, has been named a finalist in two categories in the 6th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business: Lifetime Achievement, and Best Executive - Non-profit or Government. More than 1,100 entries were submitted internationally for consideration in 54 categories.
The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, and the companies they run - worldwide. The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world's premier business awards.
Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word "crowned," winners will be announced during a gala event at the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York on Friday, Nov. 13. Nominated women executives and entrepreneurs from the United States and several other countries are expected to attend. The presentations will be broadcast live on radio in the U.S.A. by the Business TalkRadio Network.
As president and CEO of Hope HealthCare Services, Beckwith is a leader in improving health care on the local, state and national levels. She has served in this position since 1991 and has more than 30 years of health care and hospice experience. Under her leadership, Hope's services, programs, staff and volunteers have grown and now provide care for more than 2,300 people each day, through Hope Hospice and other comprehensive care programs for people with serious illness in Highlands, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hardee, Hendry and Lee counties. She has led Hope to receive numerous national awards for quality service and innovation.
Beckwith - who recently received The Ohio State University Alumni Association's highest honor, the Alumni Medalist Award - was selected as a finalist for the Stevie Awards in recognition of her lifetime achievements in health care and accomplishments of significance as an executive at a not-for-profit organization.
"Being selected as a finalist for the Stevie Awards shines an international spotlight on the great work of the Hope staff and volunteers," Beckwith said. "We have watched the needs in our community grow and have worked diligently to provide a continuum of programs and services to meet those needs. It is certainly a privilege to serve those in our care and their families, and it is a true honor to be recognized for our ongoing efforts."
Finalists were chosen by business professionals worldwide during preliminary judging. Members of the Awards' Board of Distinguished Judges and Advisors and their staffs will select Stevie Award winners from among the Finalists during final judging.
"Being named a finalist in The Stevie Awards for Women in Business is an important achievement," said Michael Gallagher, president of the Stevie Awards. "It means that independent business executives have agreed that the nominee is worthy of recognition. We congratulate all of the finalists on their achievement and wish them well in the competition."
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - www.newssun.com/1025-BECKWITH