SHELBY – Patti Kastelic typically steers clear of the spotlight.
But on Thursday at the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual evening of excellence, the director of cancer services and imaging at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital was honored with the ATHENA Award.
The award, presented every year since 1989, recognizes a woman living in north central Ohio who can demonstrate excellence in her profession, provides a valuable service to the community, supports other professional women in achieving their goals and exhibits initiative and creativity in enhancing her profession.
“I’m rarely speechless. I’m very humbled and proud to receive this award on behalf of OhioHealth and especially my family,” Kastelic said. “My parents always nurtured in us that we have all been given gifts and it’s our responsibility to give back those gifts.”
Prior to working as director of the cancer services and imaging company, Kastelic spent 24 years as the director of nursing, also for OhioHealth. She started the first formal chemotherapy and fusion programs in Mansfield when patients would have otherwise needed to drive to Cleveland and Columbus.
Outside the hospital, Kastelic has impacted the community by volunteering in prison ministries for the Diocese of Toledo. In addition she’s served as president and chairperson for the Mansfield Cancer Foundation and as a board member for the Pat Kracker Breast Cancer Fund.
“Our award recipient exemplifies each value for which the ATHENA stands,” said Sally Gesouras, 2017 ATHENA award winner. “She has achieved a high level of excellence in her profession, served as a strong leader for all those who work with her.
“She contributes an incredible amount of time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community both through her day job and other volunteer activities.”
Gesouras and 2016 recipient Melanie Riggleman introduced the finalists and presented the award, sponsored by Richland Bank.
Other finalists were president and CEO of Catalyst Life Services ,Veronica Groff; and owner of Slick Automated Solutions and vice president of PR Machine Works, Zoi Romanchuk. Gesouras noted that choosing a winner was a difficult decision and that she was “impressed with caliber of finalists.”
“Each of you ladies have made remarkable achievements and have done amazing things for the community,” Gesouras said.
The chairman’s award was presented directly afterwards. This award went to DRM Productions’ David Damson.
The Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) and the Richland Young Professionals (RYP) also presented several awards.
Richland Community Development Awards
The Business Excellence Award was given to Avita Health System. This award is meant for a business that has experienced strong growth, capital investment, product development and civic involvement.
The Distinguished Performance Award winner was Rick Taylor. This award is given to someone who lives the RCDG mission to improve the economic vitality of Richland County” has demonstrated leadership and aided in the growth of the local economy.
The Economic Impact Award went to the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society for its effort in supporting economic development in Richland County. This award is intended for either a public sector or non-profit entity.
The Investing in our Future Award was presented to Jeff DeVito. He was recognized for significantly contributing to the preparation of the future workforce.
Richland Youth Professionals Awards
The RYP Entrepreneurial Spirit Award was given to both Courtney Cline of Design by Cline and Danny L. Brown, Sr. of Brown’s Cuts & Styles. It is designed for a local business that either started or reinvented itself in the last 24 months and is led or owned by a young professional (21 to 40 years of age).
The RYP Community Hero Award winner was Toris Phinnessee, Jr. He was recognized as an individual that is fully committed to serving the community thereby spurring economic growth and development.
