AHF would like to congratulate AHF past-president, Ryan Conklin, Director & Executive Chef Culinary and Nutrition Services at UNC Health Rex, on being award the prestigious 2025 Silver Plate Award by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) for healthcare.
“Since 1954, IFMA has recognized extraordinary operator executives with the IFMA Silver Plate Award. Winners are chosen from a slate of industry nominees by a distinguished jury of trade press editors and previous award winners.”
Ryan Conklin is a dedicated AHF member, helping to shape the future of self-operated healthcare foodservice through his unwavering commitment to succession planning, both for AHF and the industry at large. His mentorship, participation in key panels and sessions at the AHF National Conference, and involvement in the National Culinary Competition all showcase his dedication to advancing our field. His invaluable contributions to industry knowledge, leadership, and mentorship also earned him the AHF Exemplary Leadership Award in 2023.
Ryan is a shining example of self-op excellence, by continuously redefining #ThisIsHospitalFood and elevating the industry. He joins a distinguished cohort of AHF leaders whose impact on healthcare foodservice continues to drive innovation and growth.
Congratulations, Ryan, on this well-deserved recognition of your exceptional achievements!
Previous IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Award in Healthcare Winners that are also AHF Members:
| 2024 Dave Reeves
System Director, Food and Nutrition Services |
2023 Randy Sparrow
Director, Food & Environmental Services ProHealth Care |
| 2022 Cheryl Shimmin
Executive Director of Retail, Culinary, & Nutrition Care Kettering Health |
2021 Antoinette “Toni” Watkins
Director, System Nutrition Riverside Health System |
| 2020 Eric Eisenberg
Director of Dining Services Rogue Valley Manor |
2019 Bill Marks
Director, Food Nutrition and Environmental Services Hennepin Healthcare |
| 2018 Jim McGrody
Culinary Director UNC Rex Healthcare |
2017 Patti Oliver
Director of Nutrition UCLA Health System |
| 2016 Diane Imrie
Director of Nutrition Services University of Vermont Medical Center |
2015 Julie Jones
Director, Nutrition Services Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center |
| 2014 Lisette Coston
Executive Director of Support Services Saint Francis Health System |
2013 Angelo Mojica
Director of Nutrition & Services/ Associate Professor UNC Hospitals/UNC Gillings School of Global Health |
| 2012 Dan Henroid, MS, RD
Director, Nutrition and Food Services UCSF Medical Center |
2011 Bruce Thomas, MBA
Associate Vice President of Guest Services Geisinger Health Systems |
| 2010 Tony Almeida
Director, Food & Nutrition/Environmental/Host Services Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital |
2009 Betty J. Perez, RD, DHCFA
Director of Food & Nutrition Services University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey – The University Hospital |
| 2008 Mary Angela Miller
Administrative Director, Nutrition Services Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center |
2007 Kris Schroeder
Director of Nutrition Services Swedish Medical Center |
* These are the winners from the past 18 years, dating back to 2007. However, the history of AHF members receiving this prestigious award stretches far beyond that. Since AHF’s formation in 2009, every IFMA Silver Plate winner in healthcare has been an AHF member. Prior to 2009, AHF’s legacy associations, the American Society for Healthcare Food Service Administrators (ASHFSA) and the National Society for Healthcare Foodservice Management (HFM), proudly boasted a long and distinguished history of IFMA Silver Plate winners among their members. Both AHF and our legacy associations are also proud to count IFMA Gold Plate winners among our membership!
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IFMA: “2025 Silver Plate Award Winners Announced”
https://www.ifmaworld.com/Ifma/Resources/News/2025/2025-Silver-Plate-Award-Winners-Announced.aspx
