COEUR d’ALENE — David Atkins was honored to receive a Hearts for Heroes Award on Thursday, but he didn’t believe it should be his alone.

“It truly is about the team that supports me in order to do what I do as well,” said the vice president of medical services with Heritage Health. “And that's been the most amazing thing about working through the last few years, looking at the strength and resilience of everybody that I work with.”

Atkins was one of seven individuals and three facilities in health care recognized at the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber’s Hearts for Heroes awards luncheon at the Hagadone Event Center.

Linda Coppess, chamber president and CEO, said she was excited to celebrate those who provide healing in the community, whether they be in administration, patient care, housekeeping, food service or maintenance.

“We are honored to be here, celebrating you, an extraordinary group of individuals who help us to have a great quality of life,” she said to about 150 people.

Keynote speaker Helo Hancock, CEO of Beacon Cancer Care, said it will be a “badge of honor and respect” for those who worked in health care during COVID-19. They were the ones who sacrificed their safety to help others suffering from the virus.

“I know we have a lot of tough people that work in health care here in this country, and I know we have a lot of tough people that work in health care in North Idaho,” he said.

Individuals receiving Hearts for Heroes awards were:

• David Atkins, VP of medical services, Heritage Health

• Jeremy Evans, chief operating officer, Kootenai Health

• Tim Rabold, lead CNA, Northwest Specialty Hospital

• Cindy Barnes, nurse practitioner, Panhandle Health District

• Joey Buckner, executive assistant to the CEO, Marimn Health

• Wayne Mussatto, RN, house supervisor, Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital

• Joe Maimone, RHN, staff coordinator, Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest

People’s Choice awards went to:

• Inland Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus

• Auburn Crest Hospice

• Beacon Cancer Center

In the nomination letters, the recipients were described as compassionate, caring, conscientious, skilled, leaders, humble and dedicated.

About Buckner, it read: “She continues to grow and challenge herself as a leader and never hesitates to step up for a project or opportunity, even if it is a stretch for her to accomplish.”

About Maimone: “He is highly committed to ensuring that all patients in our hospital have the care that they need, when they need it.”

About Auburn Crest Hospice: “They are always available to serve and provide extraordinary support for our residents, their families and education for our staff.”

Barnes said working during the pandemic was challenging, but also gave her opportunities to help people.

“I'm just so pleased to be able to take care of patients,” she said.

Evans said he was honored, but also deflected attention.

“It is amazing, the compassion and dedication and commitment of our staff, our physicians, our clinicians, the entire team,” he said. "And ultimately, the patients who have suffered through this pandemic. So the recognition really goes to them.”

Mussatto said the award could have gone to any of his colleagues.

“The last couple of years have been tough, but teamwork always comes through,” he said.

Hancock said the lesson to be learned is resilience.

He said health care workers persevered despite having “a statewide health care system on the brink of collapse” as thousands of people were hospitalized.

“We kept showing up day after day, night after night, to take care of the sick and save lives,” Hancock said. “Saving lives without the expectation of any recognition, without the expectation of an award. In most cases, without even a thank you, is the very epitome of what it means to be a hero.”