The Mental Health Association of Rochester is proud to announce that our President and CEO, Valerie Way, has been named one of the Rochester Business Journal’s 2025 Health Care Heroes Honorees in the Mental Health category.

The Health Care Heroes award recognizes individuals and organizations making a significant impact on health care in the Greater Rochester area through excellence, compassion, and innovation. Valerie’s remarkable career of over three decades in mental health and substance use services exemplifies these qualities.

Under her leadership, the Mental Health Association of Rochester has continued to grow and adapt to meet the evolving needs of the community. Valerie’s visionary approach and tireless dedication to improving access to care, mentoring future leaders, and fostering meaningful change have left an indelible mark on our organization and the region.

Valerie is one of a select group of honorees celebrated for their contributions to advancing health care in Rochester. Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/Rochester Business Journal, describes the honorees as individuals who “go above and beyond to improve the quality of health care” while demonstrating empathy, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to their work.

Please join us in congratulating Valerie on this incredible achievement. Her dedication inspires all of us to continue making a difference in our community.