American Red Cross to Honor Flossmoor Doctor As 2026 Education Hero

FLOSSMOOR, IL — A Flossmoor woman is being recognized by the American Red Cross for her leadership and mentoring in the healthcare field.

The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is honoring LaMenta Conway, M.D., MPH, founder of the I Am Abel Foundation, as this year’s Education Hero at the organization’s 24th Annual Heroes Breakfast.

Conway is the founder of the I Am Abel Foundation, an organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders. Through its flagship Urban Bridges Medical Mentoring Program, the I Am Abel Foundation identifies and nurtures the talents of inner-city youth by providing hands-on exposure to the medical field, academic support, and long-term mentorship. Since its founding, the I Am Abel Foundation has supported more than 500 scholars, helping open pathways to careers in medicine and strengthening the future of healthcare in underserved communities.

The Heroes Breakfast was established to raise public awareness of local heroes who exemplify the values of the Red Cross. Since 2002, the organization has recognized more than 200 extraordinary individuals committed to helping others and providing support when disaster strikes.

The 2026 Class of Heroes will be recognized across 12 categories and were selected by an independent committee of business and civic leaders. The Red Cross pays tribute to these inspiring individuals through their remarkable stories, which will be highlighted during the event. For the complete list of 2026 Heroes, visit RedCross.org/Heroes.

The Heroes Breakfast will be held Wednesday, May 6, at the Hilton Chicago.