Wisconsin Nurse Voted Winner in ImageFIRST’s Inaugural HeroesFIRST Campaign

Heidi Boyke was awarded $5,000 and PPE for her workplace for her Infection Prevention efforts

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., October 18, 2021 – ImageFIRST Healthcare Laundry Specialists, a leading provider of laundry services for the healthcare industry, today named the winner of its inaugural HeroesFIRST campaign – Heidi Boyke of Waukesha, Wisconsin – following a nationwide contest. The HeroesFIRST campaign honors and celebrates infection prevention healthcare workers that ImageFIRST has the privilege of working with each day, and Heidi, a Nurse Manager, demonstrates dedication to ensuring patient and staff safety.

In recognition of her win, Heidi was awarded a $5,000 grand prize with a corresponding donation of PPE materials to her facility, the GI Associates’ Moreland Endoscopy Center. Heidi’s nomination highlighted her dedication to taking extraordinary precautions to keep her patients and staff safe, including hourly cleaning of all surfaces, monthly handwashing audits, and yearly training of core cleaning competencies for staff.

“Being selected as a finalist in the HeroesFIRST campaign was a tremendous honor, and I have been so inspired by all the infection prevention professionals selected by ImageFIRST,” said Heidi Boyke, the first-annual HeroesFIRST winner. “Being recognized by my Customer Advocate was such a special moment after a tough year and a half. Learning that I was selected as the campaign’s winner has further fueled my passion and dedication to keeping my patients and staff safe.”

Earlier this year, ImageFIRST’s team of dedicated service representatives – whom they call Customer Advocates – nominated more than 100 outstanding infection prevention specialists, eight of which were chosen as finalists and had their stories featured on the company’s website for a nationwide vote. The seven runners-up were each awarded a $1,000 prize for their exceptional work.

“Each Infection Prevention Specialist honored by the HeroesFIRST campaign has made incredible contributions to their medical centers, and their work has not gone unnoticed by the people who work with them every day,” said Jim Cashman, President and CEO of ImageFIRST. “Heidi exemplifies the tremendous work that goes into keeping her community safe, and ImageFIRST is honored to name her the first-annual HeroesFIRST winner.”

Continuing the Celebration of Our Healthcare Heroes

The seven runners-up also received recognition from their Customer Advocates for their exceptional work in infection prevention at their facilities. Each individual was presented with $1,000 and a certificate of recognition for their efforts.

Judy Watson is the Materials Manager at Mackinaw Surgery Center and was nominated by her Customer Advocate, Jeremy Flanigan.

Chela Parker is the Materials Manager at Livingston Surgical Center and was nominated by her Customer Advocate, Geovanne Ruiz.

Teretha Weston is a retired nurse and current housekeeper at Conner Creek Life Solutions and was nominated by her ImageFIRST Customer Advocate, Brendan Lackey.

Danny Arroyo is the Director of Environmental Services at Moses Taylor Hospital was recognized by his ImageFIRST Customer Advocate, Brian Skolar.

More photos to follow.

About ImageFIRST Founded in 1967, ImageFIRST is the largest linen rental and laundry service specializing in the U.S. healthcare market. ImageFIRST’s nationwide locations serve over 18,000 outpatient medical facilities every week— providing linen, patient gowns, scrubs, and more while managing their clients’ linen inventory for cost management. With a customer retention rate of over 95%, ImageFIRST is dedicated to improving patient satisfaction through quality products and remarkable service: their Comfort Care® line of gowns is proven to increase patients’ favorable perception of a facility by more than 50%. For more information about ImageFIRST, your cost-effective solution for greater patient satisfaction, please visit www.imagefirst.com

This story was also featured on CBS 58 Milwaukee. View the news feature here.

Photo credit (Heidi): Danielle V., GI Associates Moreland Endoscopy Center