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HEALTHCARE HEROES | 2026 AWARDS HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 B11 Winner Category | Volunteer Karen S. Smith Volunteer Team Manager, Gaylord Wolfpack Gaylord Specialty Healthcare K aren Smith spent her career in human and veterinary medicine and was a competitive athlete. After developing multiple sclerosis, she became involved in adaptive sports through Gaylord Sports Association. A former starting goalie for a U.S. sled hockey team, she now manages the Gaylord Wolfpack sled hockey team in the Northeast Sled Hockey League. What makes you a Healthcare Hero? Working with Gaylord Sports to develop competitive teams both in wheelchair tennis, handcycling and then sled hockey, I was able to compete at national levels and bring that excitement back to Gaylord to encourage more indi- viduals with disabilities and show them that they could do the same. I was able to show them that they could be true athletes, not just "trying out a sport." I could show them medals won in competing in Arthur Ashe stadium, or winning the first ever gold medal in women's sled hockey. And I could show them how it was done in a sled and at the age of 62, two things most people experiencing new disabilities think will never be possible. Tell us about a challenge in your role that you were able to overcome. One of the biggest challenges is getting people to recognize my players as athletes. ey see a wheelchair, crutches or prosthetic limbs and only see altered ability. en we have them sit down and watch as players remove these mobility aides and get in their sleds and start playing full check, competitive ice hockey. Just sit and watch my athletes as they are allowed the "Dignity of Risk!" What's your next major goal? We just started a recreational level of hockey with the Wolfpack to build up a recruitment base of players to keep our travel team roster filled. My goal is always to get the word out and show people what is possible with just some equipment changes and to expand our rec team. Winner Category | Physician Dr. Ari Geller Managing Partner Greater Hartford Nephrology D r. Ari Geller is a board-certified nephrologist, researcher and healthcare leader serving Greater Hartford since 2008. As the managing partner of Greater Hartford Nephrology, chief of nephrology at St. Francis Hospital and a board director of the Southern New England Health- care Organization (SoNE HEALTH), he combines clinical excellence, research and compassionate, patient-centered kidney care. What makes you a Healthcare Hero? I have always believed that medi- cine is about more than diagnosing and treating disease. It is about building trust and helping people navigate some of the most difficult moments in their lives. As a nephrologist, I have the privi- lege of caring for patients over many years, and I strive to ensure they feel understood, respected and empow- ered to make informed decisions while receiving the highest quality care. Beyond caring for patients, I am committed to advancing kidney care through clinical research, physician education and healthcare leadership. If my work has made a difference, it is because I have always tried to put my patients first. Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome. One of the greatest challenges I face is preserving the quality and indepen- dence of patient care in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. As the owner of an independent nephrology practice, my partners and I must balance rising costs, administrative burdens, cybersecurity threats and constantly changing regulations while ensuring our patients receive the care they deserve. We have overcome these challenges by remaining united in our mission, investing in our team, embracing inno- vation when it improves care and never losing sight of our primary responsi- bility: putting our patients first. Congratulations to All of the 2026 Healthcare Heroes! Ari Geller, DO - 2026 Healthcare Hero SoNE HEALTH proudly congratulates Dr. Geller on being named a 2026 Hartford Business Journal Healthcare Hero. This well-deserved honor recognizes his dedication to patients, commitment to excellence, and leadership in healthcare. As a member of the SoNE HEALTH Board of Directors, Dr. Geller also helps advance our mission and strengthen healthcare across our region. We are proud to celebrate Dr. Geller and his contributions to our patients, organization, and community. Greater Hartford Nephrology