At the 2008 Phoenix Houses of New England Public Service Award luncheon held June 18 are, left to right, Peter H. Ottmar, chairman, Phoenix Houses of New England, Melanie Vecchione, George A. Vecchione, recipient of the 2008 New England Public Service Award, and Kathleen C. Hittner, M.D., president of The Miriam Hospital and chairperson of the luncheon.

Lifespan’s George A. Vecchione took top honors at a luncheon June 18 put on by one of the nation’s leading substance-abuse treatment and prevention providers.

More than 410 guests crowded into the R.I. Convention Center to salute the head of the health company, a not-for-profit that owns Rhode Island, Miriam, Newport, Bradley and Hasbro Children’s hospitals. The $160,000 raised will be used to expand Phoenix House’s treatment opportunities in New England. Phoenix House has helped more than 3,000 adults and adolescents via its 45 facilities in New England.

The president of Miriam, Kathleen C. Hittner, chaired the luncheon; last year’s honoree. Bank of America’s William Hatfield. acted as honorary chair. Past recipients include Verizon’s Donna Cupelo, Providence Journal’s Howard Sutton and Gilbane Building Co.’s Thomas F. Gilbane Jr.