Compassionate Care Award

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Compassionate Care Award

Dr. Yoshiro Matsuo Compassionate Care Award - Nominations are Open!

The Dr. Yoshiro Matsuo Compassionate Care Award was established in 2022 in recognition of Dr. Matsuo’s compassion, kindness, leadership, benevolence, and selfless service to community and others. Dr. Matsuo was one of the original founders of Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care Inc. in 1983, serving as the first Medical Director on a volunteer-basis for 25 years, as well as serving our community as a practicing physician for 50 years. Dr. Matsuo also served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves.

Any individual who exhibits Dr. Matsuo’s traits and attributes, who lives or works in Otsego, Delaware or Schoharie county, and serves individuals in any discipline is eligible to win this award.

Nominations for this award will open online until Friday, August 22nd. The winner will receive a Commemorative Award, a $500 Cash Prize, and their name on the Award Plaque at the Helios Care Office in Oneonta. The winner will be announced on October 10th, 2025 at the Grand Oneonta Opry Benefit for Hospice at Foothills in Oneonta. There will be an award reception for the winner and all nominees are invited to attend. Get your tickets today!

Thank you for making a nomination. Please share and tell everyone you know about this great opportunity! If you wish to nominate a person who was nominated last year, please do so using a new nomination form for consideration this year.

The nomination form will be open from now until August 22nd & will ask:

- The nominee’s work history and current work/volunteer/board affiliations.
- Your relationship to the nominee.
- How the nominee displays Dr. Matsuo’s traits/qualities, and in what ways these are exemplified in the community.
- A relevant story or anecdote that makes the nominee a good candidate for the award.

2025 Dr. Matsuo Nomination Form

The nomination form may take up to 30 minutes to complete. Please be sure to hit the "Submit" button once you are finished. You will receive email confirmation once we receive your nomination. If you do not receive email confirmation, please resubmit your nomination.

Name of Person Being Nominated(Required)

Town or City Nominee Resides In(Required)

Nominee's Phone Number(Required)

Nominee's Email(Required)

Nominee's Current or Past Place of Work/Volunteer Affiliation(Required)

Please Explain How Long and in What Capacity You Have Known the Nominee:(Required)

Please Explain How the Nominee Provides Profound Service to People in Need(Required)

In What Ways Has the Nominee Volunteered Their Time in the Community? What Contributions Has the Nominee Made to the Broader Community? Please List Any Volunteer Groups/Organizations, and/or Board Affiliations That the Nominee Participates In.(Required)

How Does the Nominee Exhibit Dr. Matsuo’s Characteristics of Compassion, Kindness, Leadership, Benevolence and Selfless Service?(Required)

How Has the Nominee Shown Leadership in Inspiring Others or Initiating Change?(Required)

Please Explain What it is About the Nominee That Made You Nominate Them? If a Story or Anecdote Would Help, Feel Free to Include One.(Required)

Name of Person Completing This Nomination Form(Required)

Your Phone Number(Required)

Your Email(Required)

Please feel free to attach an additional sheet if necessary.

Max. file size: 50 MB.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS NOMINATION. Be sure to hit the Submit button!

Compassionate Care Award Winners

Dr. Ben Friedell, 2024

The winner of the 2nd Annual Dr. Yoshiro Matsuo Compassionate Care Award is Dr. Ben Friedell of Bassett. Dr. Friedell was selected from a pool of 16 other worthy nominees, coming from a myriad of disciplines. Dr. Friedell was chosen as this year’s winner for his deep commitment to community and his self-less service to others. As a practicing family physician in our area for over 35 years, Dr. Friedell saw a need for a clinic and was instrumental in founding the Oneonta Community Health Center.

Lisa Schmitz, 2023

The winner of the inaugural Dr. Yoshiro Matsuo Compassionate Care Award is Lisa Schmitz, a Home Health Aide. Lisa was selected from a total of 14 nominations, including people from all walks of life and from the three counties we represent. Lisa received a cash prize of $500, recognition on a plaque at the Helios Care offices, and a trophy for her home. Congratulations to Lisa!