From Tower Health
Pictured above, from left to right: Joanne Judge, Esq., Customers Bank, and Charles F. Barbera, MD, MBA, MPH, FACEP.
Reading Hospital will recognize three outstanding champions of healthcare and community service during the second annual Champions of Care Dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading.
The annual event celebrates individuals and organizations whose leadership, partnership, and commitment have strengthened Reading Hospital and improved the health and well-being of the Berks County community. Proceeds from this year’s event will support the renovation and expansion of Reading Hospital’s Emergency Department.
The 2026 Champions of Care award recipients are:
- Joanne Judge, Esq., shareholder at Stevens & Lee and general counsel for Tower Health, will receive the Visionary Health Leadership Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing healthcare throughout the region.
- Customers Bank will receive the Legacy of Health Partnership Award for its longstanding commitment to Reading Hospital and its investment in improving the health of the communities it serves.
- Charles F. Barbera, MD, MBA, MPH, FACEP, president and CEO of Reading Hospital and executive vice president of Tower Health, will receive the Spirit of Reading Hospital Award for his steadfast leadership, commitment to clinical excellence, and dedication to fulfilling Reading Hospital’s mission of delivering exceptional care.
“Reading Hospital has been the heartbeat of Berks County, caring for generations of families through life’s most exciting and vulnerable moments,” said Michael Stern, FACHE, president and CEO of Tower Health. “Champions of Care celebrates the remarkable individuals and organizations whose leadership and generosity help us fulfill that mission while investing in the future of healthcare for our community.”
The 2026 Champions of Care is especially meaningful as Reading Hospital celebrates 100 years at its West Reading location and honors the remarkable campus that has served our community for a century. This year’s event will benefit the expansion and renovation of Reading Hospital’s Emergency Department, which is the busiest single-site emergency department in Pennsylvania and the region’s only Level I Trauma Center.
“This initiative will expand and transform the Emergency Department, creating an environment that matches the exceptional care our community depends on. It is one of the most important investments we can make for the future of healthcare in our region,” Dr. Barbera said. “The generosity of our community through events like Champions of Care helps ensure we can continue providing exceptional emergency and trauma care when our patients need it most.”
The Reading Hospital Foundation will host the event and welcomes community members, businesses, and healthcare supporters to participate through ticket purchases.
“The Champions of Care Dinner is an opportunity to celebrate those who make a lasting difference while supporting a project that will impact every member of our community,” said Kate Thornton, president of the Reading Hospital Foundation. “We are grateful for the continued generosity of our sponsors and supporters as we invest in the future of emergency care at Reading Hospital.”
Champions of Care Presenting Sponsors include Jefferson Health, The Stevens and Lee Companies, Compass Healthcare, Customers Bank, and Metropolitan Companies. Advocate Sponsors include Ensemble and Target Building.
For tickets, visit towerhealth.org/reading-hospital-foundation.
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