HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - BusinessWest honored this year's class of Healthcare Heroes as the industry continues to face challenges after the COVID-19 pandemic. Holyoke Medical Center earns national recognition for excellence in stroke care The Healthcare Heroes Program was started back in 2017. BusinessWest recognizes a few leaders within the region every year. This year, eight heroes were selected based on their service as they continue improving the lives of others. Dr. Andrew Balder with Baystate Mason Square told 22News, "Really caring for others and others who are most in need, that's where I have been fortunate enough to position myself in Springfield and try to integrate into populations where I didn't come from." This year, two recipients were honored at the log cabin in Holyoke with a lifetime achievement award, including Doctor Andrew Balder and Bernice Drumheller. Local News Headlines BusinessWest honors 2024 ‘Healthcare Heroes’ Greater Springfield NAACP hosts Freedom Fund dinner Three honored with William Pynchon Medal in Springfield Westover Development Corp. marks 50 years of growth WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.