On April 6, DCHA’s Healthy Hospital Initiative hosted its annual, live Chef Cooking Competition. Hospital chefs competed in six categories to showoff their creativity and skills. Hospital chefs showcased low-sodium and low-sugar recipes using the special ingredient of basil. A panel of judges rated the dishes on taste, appearance, nutritional value, and creativity of the use of a special ingredient. Chefs and their teams presented an entrée, side dish and beverage or dessert. The entrée was required to have less than 600mg of sodium and no added caloric sweetener. The side dish and dessert or beverage was required to have less than 230mg of sodium and no added caloric sweetener. Congratulations to all of the winners and a special shoutout to the event venue, DC Central Kitchen.

Overall Winners

• First Place: Tiffany Jhingory & Danisha Chase, Howard University Hospital
• Second Place: Breyon Williams & Bonita Bolden, Psychiatric Institute of Washington and Emmanuel Ferguson, Shevonia Dawkins & Joseph Redfearn, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
• Third Place: Heather Garcia, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Nutrition & Creativity

• First Place: Tiffany Jhingory & Danisha Chase, Howard University Hospital
• Second Place: Breyon Williams & Bonita Bolden, Psychiatric Institute of Washington and Emmanuel Ferguson, Shevonia Dawkins & Joseph Redfearn, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
• Third Place: Heather Garcia, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Taste & Appearance

• First Place: Tiffany Jhingory & Danisha Chase, Howard University Hospital
• Second Place: Heather Garcia, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
• Third Place: Breyon Williams & Bonita Bolden, Psychiatric Institute of Washington and Matthew Galo & Carmelito Diaz, MedStar Washington Hospital Center

Best  Entrée

• First Place: Tiffany Jhingory & Danisha Chase, Howard University Hospital and Emmanuel Ferguson, Shevonia Dawkins & Joseph Redfearn, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
• Second Place: Heather Garcia, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
• Third Place: Erika Smith, Tony Shelton & Ashley Lyles, BridgePoint Hospital National Harborside

Best Side Dish

• First Place: Tiffany Jhingory & Danisha Chase, Howard University Hospital
• Second Place: Breyon Williams & Bonita Bolden, Psychiatric Institute of Washington
• Third Place: Emmanuel Ferguson, Shevonia Dawkins & Joseph Redfearn, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital; Matthew Galo & Carmelito Diaz, MedStar Washington Hospital Center; and, Heather Garcia, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Best Dessert/Beverage

• First Place: Emmanuel Ferguson, Shevonia Dawkins & Joseph Redfearn, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
• Second Place: Breyon Williams & Bonita Bolden, Psychiatric Institute of Washington and Heather Garcia, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
• Third Place: Tiffany Jhingory & Danisha Chase, Howard University Hospital

Individuals working in District of Columbia hospitals strive every day to deliver compassionate, quality and safe patient care. DCHA is honored to highlight the incredible work of our member hospitals and their champions. DCHA will present awards to two individuals; one clinical and one nonclinical, who are working to transform health care through leadership, collaboration, and improvement strategies within their hospitals and who exemplify a dedication to continued delivery of essential services, a commitment to patient safety, and unwavering efforts to delivering quality patient care.

Award nominations must showcase how individuals go above and beyond normal daily work to manage and support hospital staff, patients, caregivers and the community. Awards will be presented during the Health Care & Innovation Summit on October 30, 2024. Complete nominations by June 21, 2024.