2023 Phoenix Society Award Recipients

Please join us in congratulating our 2023 Phoenix Society award recipients!

Breslau Award: Rebekah R. Allely

The Alan & Delwyn Breslau Award is the highest distinction Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors can bestow and honors someone who has, through a collaborative spirit, significantly enhanced the ability of the Society to fulfill its mission of peer support, education, and advocacy.

Meet Rebekah Allely

Rebekah R. Allely, OTR/L, is a burn occupational therapist at Medstar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. Rebekah has been a member of the burn team for 30+ years working with patients across the continuum of care. Rebekah is a Phoenix SOAR coordinator, encouraging and helping organize peer support. For the past fifteen years Rebekah has enjoyed volunteering with the DC Firefighter Burn Foundation organizing aftercare programming including local outdoor activities, burn retreats, and weeklong trips to the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, CO.

Harman Award - Bert W. Martin Foundation

The Janet Harman Award is given to a Phoenix Society Support that has had a significant impact on our community and organization programs through financial and volunteer leadership.

Meet the Bert W. Martin Foundation

Bert W. Martin was born in Chicago on October 12, 1897. An industrialist, philanthropist, and visionary, Bert started a successful printing and packaging company known as the Shellmar Products Company in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. His interest in local philanthropy including healthcare was accentuated by his ownership of the Bert W. Martin Memorial Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

In 1948, Bert started the Bert W. Martin Foundation to provide services to those in need in his community. He was also instrumental, along with other local business leaders, in the creation of the Mount Vernon Community Trust (currently the Knox County Foundation) also aimed at providing support for local charitable organizations.

Bert passed on his dedication to local philanthropy to his only child, Winifred ("Wynee") Martin Warden, who served as chair of the Bert W. Martin Foundation for decades prior to her death in 2017.

During that time, Wynee maintained residences in both Orlando, Florida and Tucson, Arizona and continued the tradition started by her father of directing Foundation giving to local charities. Like her father, Wynee wanted to be able to evaluate the benefits of foundation giving and reward those organizations that met local needs in an effective manner. She continued the family support along with her sons Andy, Chandler, and the late Bert Warden.

This tradition continues with several next-generation descendants of Bert W. Martin participating as Directors of the Foundation which continues to support local charities in the geographic areas where the directors reside, namely Central Florida, Tucson/Southern Arizona, San Francisco Bay Area.

Hickey Award - Phil Tammaro

The Joe Hickey Fire Service award honors a firefighter or firefighter burn foundation who assists burn survivors, demonstrates a commitment to improving burn care through all phases of recovery, and works to carry on the mission of Phoenix Society and the local burn community.

Meet Phil Tammaro

A Captain on the Billerica Fire Department where he has served for over 28 years, Phil is widely regarded as a national expert on fire prevention, survivor support and re-integration of burn survivors. He is well-known throughout the country for his work with the Phoenix Society in developing a Fire Fighter component of the Phoenix SOAR Program as well as leading the IAFF's National Youth Firesetting Database project, now known as YFIRES.

Phil is the 3rd District Burn Coordinator for the IAFF Charitable Foundation Burn Fund, serves on the Boston-Harvard Burn Injury Model System Advisory Board, previously served on American Burn Association Membership Advisory and Burn Prevention committees. In 2016 he received the prestigious ABA Burn Prevention Award.

His journey from victim to survivor to advocate began when he was just two years old. In 1971 Phil was the victim of a house fire, suffering 3rd degree burns on over 35% of his body. Growing up he spent many years at the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston as a patient undergoing numerous skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries to allow him full use of his legs. Phil played football and lacrosse in high school never allowing his injuries to hold him back. He then went on to become a career firefighter in his hometown where he has proudly served since 1993. He is a longtime volunteer at the Shriners Hospital-Boston and has been a part of their SOAR program since its inception. Because he is a former patient and firefighter, Phil’s time at the hospital is an inspiration to countless children and families. He also spends time at the Burn Center in the Mass General Hospital as both a patient and peer supporter. His last surgery related to his burn injuries was in 2018, 47 years after the fire. As a public speaker, Phil uses his personal and professional experiences to educate and increase awareness on the dangers of fire and its lasting effects.

Advocacy Award - James Bosch

The Phoenix Society Advocacy Award acknowledges an individual whose advocacy efforts have brought greater awareness to the burn community by actively providing education and promoting positive change. In honor of James's legacy, we are renaming the award to the "Bosch Advocacy Award."

Remembering and Honoring James Bosch

On June 14, 2023, James Anthony Bosch passed away from pancreatic cancer. James was a pillar within the burn community: a counselor, a burn survivor, an advocate, and so much more. He had a tremendous impact on the community and Phoenix Society’s work.

James was burned as an infant and spent much of his life helping other survivors and their families heal and find meaning after a burn. He continued to learn and teach through the tough parts of life, right up until the time he left us.

For over 20 years, James was a strong Phoenix Society supporter, mentor, advocate, and team member. He helped build the peer support program Phoenix SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) and held the safe space that has become the iconic Phoenix World Burn Congress Open Mic, a place where many were able to share their stories and find steps forward. These are just a few places James made a difference. James had a unique ability to talk about the hard things while also providing hope and compassion for others. His joy was legendary on the dance floor, showing that all life is worth living to the fullest.

We will never be able to thank James enough for his support of the community. Our hearts are with all who loved and cherished him.