BIDMC Honors 2010 Black Achievers
Bennett,Panias Recognized for Service to Community
Date: 1/8/2010
BIDMC Contact: Kelly Lawman
Phone: 617-667-7305
Email: klawman@bidmc.harvard.edu
BOSTON – Crosby Bennett, an 11-year employee of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and Evonne Panias, RN, at the hospital for 8 years, have been named this year’s Black Achievers Award winners, presented at BIDMC’s annual Martin Luther King Day celebration to honor employees who commit their time and talents to the development of young people.
“I am very lucky to have known Crosby throughout his years at BIDMC. He is a role model for all of us due to his ethics, commitment and passion for everything in which he becomes involved,” said Gail Wood, Bennett’s supervisor in Health Information Management/Information Services.
A native of the Bahamas, Bennett immigrated to the United States in 1986, and shortly thereafter, started his career as a temporary employee at the former Deaconess Hospital. Bennett has risen from “washing pots large enough to fit into” in the Deaconess kitchen to the role of Off Shift Supervisor in Health Information Management/Information Systems.
“Education along with wisdom is the bridge to success for me. I have been on the path of lifelong learning which has allowed me accomplish tasks and assist staff members with self development, which is major for me,” said Bennett.
Bennett is also a member of the Army National Guard and an active member in his church, Faith Christian Pentecostal in Dorchester, where he serves as treasurer and board member, and also served as the Men’s Ministry, working with the boys’ brigade and mentoring youths as they navigated adolescence.
Starting her career in a busy cardiac telemetry unit, Panias is now a valued member of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. “It is my honor to work with Evonne. She is a talented nurse who is committed to professional excellence. She exemplifies commitment to outstanding patient care,” said Julie Bonenfant, RN, a colleague who nominated Panias on behalf of the entire cardiac catheterization staff.
The recipient of a clinical excellence award in 2008 from the New England Black Nurses Association, she splits her position between the procedure lab and the interventional cardiology intake service, where she educates patients about what they can expect before, during and after a cardiac catheterization procedure.
A committed community volunteer, Panias is an active member of the Washington Street Baptist Church in Lynn, where she devotes her time to helping in the nursery during church hours, plans the annual craft fair and tirelessly works to provide support to her fellow parishioners.
A member of The Community Brotherhood of Lynn Women’s Auxiliary, Panias participated in creating an annual college scholarship fund for local minority high school students. In addition, the group has started an annual School Year’s Eve bash, during which local students are treated to crafts and fun, and received backpacks donated filled with school supplies.
“Receiving this year’s YMCA BIDMC Black Achievers award is truly humbling. Being a part of such a prestigious organization, I am honored to be thought of with such high importance. Receiving this award has further motivated me to continue and excel in my community involvement,” said Panias.
Black Achievers is a national program of the YMCA that now operates in more than 100 YMCAs throughout the country. In 1975, the YMCA of Greater Boston launched its own program to recognize Black employees who have achieved exemplary success in their professional lives. This year marks the 21st year that BIDMC will participate in The Black Achievers Program by recognizing two individuals who:
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Demonstrate history of achievement in their field;
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Have been employed at BIDMC for two years;
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Have progressed within BIDMC and have potential for further advancement; and
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Are committed to voluntary community service on behalf of young people
Winners are asked to commit to a minimum of 40 hours of community service to benefit young people over the upcoming year, including tutoring activity, participation in college fairs, or providing informational interviews on potential careers in health fairs.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a patient care, teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School, and consistently ranks among the top four in National Institutes of Health funding among independent hospitals nationwide. BIDMC is clinically affiliated with the Joslin Diabetes Center and is a research partner of Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. BIDMC is the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox. For more information, visit www.bidmc.org .
