Recently, ANB Bank and the Sturm Family Foundation presented St. Mary's "A Night For Heroes Ball".  Vance Wagner, with ANB tells us all about it as we prepare to talk to one of the recipients: Dr. Patrick Moran.

"Clearly, these guys don't do it for the recognition or the award," Wagner said . "But, I think it's great that the hospital and the community recognizes that because good work should be rewarded and recognized."

When Dr. Moran learned he was receiving the Saccomano Lifetime Achievement Award, he had one question to ask:

"Why me?"

You'll soon know.  Looking back, his youth was filled with challenges, determination, awards and a career decision.

"(I) Spent time in the orphanage," began Dr. Moran.  "I wound up in Children's Hospital with polio… My physician was a little Jewish guy and admired him so much that I figured 'I want to be like him.'"

Armed with a college scholarship, he made sure his sisters were taken care of.

"When I finally got to a point where it was time for me to go to college, my mom and dad were separated and I told them that they had to make a home for my sisters so that they wouldn't have to go to foster homes.  And they stayed together until my dad died later.

Continuing his education in Colorado brought him Jackie, marriage, the start of a family and many more moves.

"I came to Regis College in Denver where I finally graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry.  And I was offered a job at Rocky Flats and I could have been one of those chemists that got brain cancer eventually but instead I chose to go to medical school," Dr. Moran said.

Finally, the last move to Grand Junction and St. Mary's in 1967.

"I was offered a position at Longmont and Fort Collins and Grand Junction and I chose Grand Junction," Dr. Moran explained.  "Mainly because of the hospital.  It was the best hospital."

Has he ever regretted the paths he's chosen?  What do you think?

"If you want to do something, do it.  Take advantage of the opportunity."

Oh, back to the ball and that award.

"It was a wonderful event.  All my grand kids were there and our own kids of course.  And we enjoyed it immensely."

What is it we don't know about this terrific guy?

"I do a little watercolor painting still," admitted Dr. Moran.  "That was a hobby that I picked up."

Dr. Moran once said as a young man doing an essay, "Whatever I do in life, I want to do it for the good of others," and that he has done.