Last year marked the very first run of our Health Hero Challenge, which honored local champions of wellness who are helping their families, friends, neighbors and communities lead healthier, happier lives. We received hundreds of nominations, from which Philadelphia magazine editors selected 16 deserving finalists. After several weeks of online voting, we had a winner: Dr. Beth DuPree, breast surgeon and medical director for Holy Redeemer’s Breast Health Program.

We’re gearing up again for the Health Hero Challenge 2013, and we need your help! Through July 17th, we’re accepting nominations through our Facebook page. We want to hear from you about the people in your life who encourage you to be healthy and well: personal trainers, yoga or Pilates instructors, doctors, nurses, youth wellness advocates, massage therapists, acupuncturists, community garden leaders, nonprofit directors—literally anyone who inspires others to better health! You can nominate yourself or someone else, and feel free to nominate as many Health Heroes as you’d like.

All you need to do is tell us, in your words, why your nominee is a Health Hero. The entry period will end on July 17th, and then we’ll launch the online voting in September.

Head over here to nominate your Health Hero now!

Dr. Beth DuPree with her team of supporters // Photograph by Zoey Sless-Kitain

Last night, we partied it up Health Hero-style in the beautiful penthouse at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in Center City. We invited the 16 Health Hero semi-finalists and their supporters to celebrate the contest and reveal the winner. I was very excited to announce that Dr. Beth DuPree, breast surgeon and medical director for Holy Redeemer’s Breast Health Program, was the winner of our first-ever Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge, as decided by your votes. She took home a $2,500 donation for her charity, the Healing Consciousness Foundation, which works to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients through holistic approaches, lifestyle changes and education. Check out a video of Beth’s acceptance speech over on our Facebook page.

Our three runners-up—Students Run Philly Style’s Heather McDanel, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Stephen Brown, and Marino’s Body Shop’s Chris Marino, who played for the Police Athletic League—each took home $250 for their charities.

Our sponsor and partner for the contest, UnitedHealthcare, was also on hand to present a check for $5,000 to the American Heart Association. If you remember during the contest, UnitedHealthcare had generously offered to donate $1 to AHA for every vote, up to $5,000. Our readers blew the lid off that goal, racking up nearly 10,000 votes in the contest. Which, when you think about it, makes you a Health Hero, too!

Thanks to everyone who came out last night, and to all of our readers who participated in the contest for the past few months. And a big, special thanks to our 16 contenders—keep up the amazing work you’re doing to help make Philly a healthier place!

Check out the slideshow below for more photos from the party. All photographs are by Zoey Sless-Kitain.

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In the final phase of the Health Hero Challenge (which kicks off on Tuesday!), our four finalists will be competing for a $2,500 grand prize that will go to the winner’s charity of choice. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been filming videos with each of the finalists to learn more about their stories as Health Heroes and find out why their chosen charities are so meaningful to them. We’ll reveal those videos next week on our Facebook page, then open it up to you, our readers, to help choose a winner!

Here, you can learn more about the charities, who they’re helping, and how they’re making an impact in our community.

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After a month of some serious competition—and nearly 5,000 votes (!)—we’re super psyched to announce the four finalists in the Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge.

If you’re new to the contest, here’s what we’ve been up to: Earlier this summer we asked readers to nominate people who they think are Health Heroes—champions of health and fitness in the Philadelphia region. We were looking for folks who work hard to help others in their community be healthy, fit and well. After poring through nearly 500 nominations, the editors of Philadelphia magazine narrowed the pool to 16 semi-finalists. Then, last month, we opened it up to reader voting, and through a series of four-against-four voting rounds, your votes determined the four finalists. On October 16th, the finals will officially begin; you can cast your vote over on our Facebook page then.

Got it? Awesome.

And now, without further ado, here are the four finalists in the Health Hero Challenge:

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>> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!

Name: Carolyn Kaufmann

Occupation: Owner and instructor, Stroller Strides Philadelphia

Who or what motivates you to be healthy?

There are a variety of factors that motivate me daily to be healthy. The determination I have to my family to be strong and active gets me moving every day. The responsibility I have taken on to lead and inspire the women who come to my class each day is a part of it, too. Seeing moms who could only walk a few yards in the beginning and are now running continually inspires me. Or watching them do bigger and better reps and sets, and actually seeing them get physically stronger. I also have the support of an awesome franchise, Stroller Strides, that provides me with the knowledge of what exercise can do physically and mentally for postpartum women.

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>> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!

Name: Stephen Brown

Occupation: Team in Training coach with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, triathlete, author

Who or what motivates you to be healthy?

There are obvious reasons like living a longer, healthier, and happier life. But for me there is a whole additional level of motivation. I am connected with many networks and communities and feel very strongly that I have the ability to use my lifestyle as a means to motivate others to do great things. I like to lead by example and prove to people just what can be done if they believe in something and commit to it. I also want to be healthy for my own family. Years from now, I want my extended family and their friends to watch me race, and have one of the little ones ask, “No way! He is your grandfather??” (Or who knows, maybe even great grandfather.)

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>> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!

Name: Jeff Middleton

Occupation: FDR Golf Course program director, First Tee of Philadelphia, a golf program for kids.

Who or what motivates you to be healthy?

I am motivated to share the advantages that good health plays in our lives, both young and old, so that the facts are presented to make intelligent choices.

Describe a health or fitness related turning point in your life.

Realizing how much stress and excess weight affects stamina, aging, coping skills and general mental health.

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>> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!

Name: Sally Andersen

Occupation: Fitness instructor, Kendrick Recreation Center, and personal trainer.

Who or what motivates you to be healthy, and what was a turning point in your life?

Growing up, I was the kid that had every desire to be an athlete but no natural skill at one sport. I was the first to come to practice and the last to leave, but still I was never going to be an elite athlete. I had a competitive drive, heart and dedication, but thought that scoring for the team, winning the race or being the best was all that mattered.

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>> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!

Name: Beth DuPree

Occupation: Breast surgeon and medical director, Holy Redeemer Breast Health Program

Who or what motivates you to be healthy?

Seventy-five percent of all breast cancers occur in women who do not have a family history of breast cancer. Therefore, these cancers are potentially preventable by adopting a healthy lifestyle. I cannot ask my patients to make positive lifestyle choices if I am unwilling to adopt them myself. Creating balance between my body, mind and spirit is essential. Being physically, emotionally and spiritually “buff” has become a way of life.

My motivation to be the healthiest I can be comes from within, but it is my breast cancer patients that are my constant source of inspiration. I consider myself to be a constant work in progress.

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>> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!

Name: Bob Schwelm

Occupation: Co-owner, Bryn Mawr Running Company, and organizer of several charity races throughout the year.

Who or what motivates you to be healthy?

I still enjoy competing and enter road races throughout the year. I was ranked #1 in the world for 50 years and older in 2009. I own three running show stores and need to practice what I preach. (You can’t be fat when you tell people how great running is!)

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