AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards

These awards are presented in association with Pfizer Inc.

The 2009 AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards Dinner and Ceremony

The 2009 AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards dinner was held in Washington D.C. on March 9, 2009, prior to the AMA National Advocacy Conference. These awards recognize those who exemplify the highest values of altruism, compassion, leadership and dedication to patient care.

View photos of the six recipients of the 2009 Excellence in Medicine Awards. (PDF, 173KB)

View a slideshow of the 2009 Excellence in Medicine Awards program.  This link will take you off the AMA Web site. The AMA is not responsible for the content of other Web sites.

The Pride in the Profession Awards honor physicians who aid underserved populations in the United States. The 2009 recipients are:

• Randi Abramson, MD has dedicated her career to providing primary care to uninsured, primarily African-American and Latino patients through Bread for the City, a Washington DC clinic that provides over 8000 patient visits each year. Learn more about Randi Abramson, MD (Media file).
• Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA founded the Bayou Le Batre Rural Health Clinic in Alabama and has rebuilt the clinic three times, after Hurricanes George and Katrina, as well as a fire. One third of this small fishing village is comprised of immigrants from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and more than 1 in 5 families live below the poverty level. Learn more about Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA (Media file).
• David Muller, MD's entire clinical practice revolves around the care of homebound patients in New York City. Dr. Muller spearheaded Mount Sinai Visiting Doctors, the largest academic physician home visiting program in the country, which provides primary care and end-of-life care for 1000 homebound patients annually in Harlem. Learn more about David Muller, MD (Media file).
• Nancy Oriol, MD founded the Family Van, a mobile clinic in Boston's underserved communities, that has served 80,000 patients over the past 16 years and has been replicated in other communities in the United States. Cultural competence and respect are a cornerstone of this program. Learn more about Nancy Oriol, MD (Media file).

The Dr. Nathan Davis International Award in Medicine honors a physician for outstanding international service in the areas of medical practice, medical education or medical research. The 2009 recipient is:

• AppaRao Mukkamala, MD, from Grand Blanc, Michigan, established NRI Medical College and General Hospital in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The medical school has dramatically impacted health care in India by providing a stream of physicians into the country as well as cutting-edge medical research and free care to the community. Learn more about AppaRao Mukkamala, MD (Media file).

The Jack B. McConnell, MD Award for Excellence in Volunteerism honors a senior (more than 55 years old) physician’s commitment to volunteer medical care provided to those without access to health care in the United States. The 2009 recipient is:

• Richard Baylor, MD, an 85 year old retired physician from Kilmarnock, Virginia, spearheaded the Northern Neck Free Health Clinic at the age of 70. He recently stepped down as Medical Director but continues to have a daily presence at the clinic. During his tenure, the clinic has provided $26 million in health care to the working poor, touching 4,500 patients and providing more than 58,000 patient visits. Learn more about Richard Baylor, MD (Media file).

The Leadership Awards are presented to 15 medical students, 10 residents/fellows and 5 early-career physicians in recognition of strong, nonclinical leadership skills in advocacy, community service, public health and/or education.

View the 2009 Leadership Award Recipients (PDF, 370KB)

Thank you to the many organizations who supported the 2009 AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards with a table sponsorship:

· The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
· The American Medical Association
· The American Medical Association Alliance
· The Massachusetts Medical Society
· The Medical Society of New Jersey & Drs. Peter Carmel and Jacqueline Bello
· The Medical Society of the State of New York
· The Medical Society of Virginia