The Diamond Award program, co-sponsored by Covenant Behavioral Health and the Mental Health Association of Greater Knoxville, recognizes "unsung heroes" in the local mental health profession. Awards will be presented to professionals in two categories -- licensed, direct treatment staff (physicians, psychologists, therapists, nurses, etc.) and non-licensed, direct treatment or support staff.

Finalists in the licensed category are: Diana Brown, C.M.S.W., Baptist Hospital; Cindy Sugg, C.T.R.S., Fort Sanders Parkwest Medical Center; Marteza Danesteh, Ph.D., Lakeshore Mental Health Institute; Anne Woodard, C.R.A.C., Lakeshore Mental Health Institute; Marianne O'Brien, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N., Covenant Behavioral Health; Gale Huffaker, R.N., M.S.S.W., Peninsula Hospital; and Randall May, M.D., Peninsula Hospital

In the non-licensed category, finalists are: Janie Pipkin, Mental Health Association of Greater Knoxville; Mary Jane Woody, Lakeshore Mental Health Institute; and Judy Rice, Blount County Schools Family Resource Center.

A neutral panel of judges from outside the Knoxville area will select Diamond Award finalists and winners based on their accomplishments in the mental healthcare profession. Each winner will receive a specially commissioned plaque and a $1,000 cash prize.

Winners will be announced at the award banquet held Tuesday, October 28 at the Hyatt Regency at 7:00 p.m. Sam Venable, author and Knoxville News-Sentinel columnist, is the keynote speaker.