Paul Pierce, Jim Cote, and Dikembe Mutombo.

Standing tall among 6 and 7 foot basketball players, Jim Cote, executive director of Children’s Martha Eliot Health Center (MEHC) proudly accepted the Heroes Among Us award on the legendary parquet floor of TD Banknorth Garden at the recent January 7th game. Established by the Boston Celtics in 1997, the award is given to individuals who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others.

With more than 20 years of healthcare management experience, Cote has strengthened MEHC’s clinical programs and helped develop new initiatives to fill the community’s unique needs. Along with honoring Cote, the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and Corinne Grousbeck, wife of Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, presented a check to Children’s Hospital Boston. CEO James Mandell, MD, accepted the $50,000 check. The donation is one of many ways the Celtics support Children’s work.