Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board honored this year’s Mental Health and Recovery Award winners at its annual recognition luncheon Friday at the Tyler History Center.

This year’s honorees were nominated by residents of Mahoning County for their outstanding service to the County’s system of care. The 2023 award recipients are:

• Advocate of the Year: Adam Lonardo, Broadway Recovery Services

• CIT Officer of the Year: Deputy Candy Dykes, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office

• Eagle Award: Bob Smrek and the Teddy Foltz Memorial Bike Run Committee

• Front Line Staff of the Year: Douglas Hansen Jr., Community Support Network

• Front Line Staff of the Year: Michelle Mixon, Catholic Charities Regional Agency

• Leader of the Year Award: Theresa Gaetano, chief investigator, Mahoning County Coroner’s Office

• Program of the Year Award: Mahoning County Probate Court Fresh Start Court, The Honorable Robert N. Rusu, Jr.

• Support Staff of the Year: Lauren Cash, COMPASS Family & Community Services

“On behalf of the board and our staff, I am so pleased to recognize this list of outstanding winners. This list represents our heroes among all the champions working tirelessly throughout our mental health and recovery system,” said Duane Piccirilli, Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board executive director.

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