Utah Business Announces Intermountain Health’s Lisa Nichols and Select Health’s Dawn Wright as Healthcare Heroes

On October 29, Utah Business and Roseman University announced their annual Healthcare Heroes Awards with two notable recipients: Lisa Nichols, from Intermountain Health, and Dawn Wright, from Select Health.

This annual award celebrates individuals making significant contributions to improving healthcare in Utah. Both Nichols and Wright were honored among five recipients in the Community Outreach category for their involvements to help improve community health through their advocacy and outreach throughout Utah

Nichols has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit healthcare, where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to addressing health disparities and ensuring access for underrepresented communities.

As Vice President of Community Health, Nichols leads the Community Health portfolio, which includes Intermountain’s Community Health Needs Assessments. The work focuses on addressing social determinants of health and health disparities through community-based collaborations and strategic philanthropy.

In addition, Nichols supports Intermountain’s initiatives to serve as an anchor institution, ensuring the organization deploys its assets to address Intermountain’s mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible through local hiring, local sourcing, impact investing, and sustainability.

“This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of the Intermountain Health team and the strong collaborations built within our communities,” said Lisa Nichols. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many. Thank you for this honor and for recognizing the importance of our work in creating a healthier, more equitable future.”

Throughout her career, Dawn Wright has combined leadership, compassion, and a deep commitment to expanding healthcare access. Her early career began with leading marketing efforts at the Salvation Army in Southern California, where she amplified the organization’s mission to support vulnerable populations. Later, as Director of Marketing & Communications for Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City, she continued her advocacy for children with orthopedic conditions.   

Currently, as the Director of Community and Public Relations at Select Health, the nonprofit insurance arm of Intermountain Health, Wright oversees charity giving, community programs, and partnerships that increase healthcare accessibility. In 2023 alone, her leadership helped direct more than $1 million in contributions for initiatives addressing housing, food security, access to care, positively impacting lives across Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. 

Under her guidance, Select Health has collaborated with more than 200 community organizations and businesses to promote healthcare initiatives, expanding its programs to new markets. Her efforts have reinforced the importance of community giving as a core value within the healthcare system. 

Wright has also driven key initiatives such as the Select Health Awards, which annually supports ten Utah organizations dedicated to health, and Brain Body Boost, a school-based program promoting healthy behaviors. Additionally, she oversees the Select Health Scholarship Program, providing financial aid and mentorship to Salt Lake Community College students pursuing healthcare careers. 

“Dawn has an exceptional ability to mobilize people and resources to drive meaningful change in communities we serve,” said Nate Foco, Select Health chief marketing and strategy officer. “Her leadership has expanded access to care, resources, and support services for countless individuals across the Mountain West. She has elevated our outreach efforts and created lasting relationships that have significantly strengthened our impact in the region.” 

In 2023, Wright produced Select Health’s first-ever Community Impact Report, highlighting the success of her team’s initiatives. She exemplifies how a strong leader can mobilize resources and partnerships to create lasting change in healthcare. 

“I am deeply honored to be recognized as a Healthcare Hero by Utah Business. This acknowledgment reflects not just my passion for service, but the collective effort of my team and our community in striving for better health and well-being,” said Dawn Wright, Select Health director of community and public relations. “By fostering strong community relations and supporting accessible healthcare, we can empower individuals to lead healthier lives. Together, we can create a supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.” 

Nichols and Wright will be a part of the October 2024 issue of Utah Business magazine with the other winners. The digital edition can be viewed when published at utahbusiness.com.

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