Boston Celtics Honor Beverly Health Care Worker As 'Hero Among Us'

BEVERLY, MA — A Beverly man who has spent more than two decades elevating surgical safety standards and mentoring the next generation of health care leaders was honored this week as a Boston Celtics "Hero Among Us."

Mark Backstrom, who began his career in hospital housekeeping, now holds a role where he prepares, sanitizes and installs more than 200,000 surgical instruments monthly. He also spearheads a health care career program where he motivates and guides aspiring medical professionals to advance in the industry.

Backstrom was recognized as a "Hero Among Us" during the Boston Celtics home game against the New York Knicks on Monday night.

The Heroes Among Us program, which was established in 1997, has recognized outstanding individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to their communities for nearly 30 years.

The award is presented at every Celtics home game and pays tribute to the heroic achievements of these outstanding citizens.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)