AMA Foundation honors Memphis, Tennessee physician for increasing access to health care in the U.S.

CHICAGO— G. Scott Morris, MD, MDiv, of Memphis, Tenn., is a recipient of the 2008 Pride in the Profession Awards. Presented by the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation, the award is given to domestic physicians who aid underserved populations in the U.S. The AMA Foundation presents the award in association with the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative.

The award will be presented on Monday, March 31st, at the 2008 Excellence in Medicine Awards Ceremony preceding the AMA National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Morris is the founder and executive director of the faith-based nonprofit Church Health Center. The Center opened in 1987 to provide quality, affordable healthcare for working, uninsured people and their families, as well as the homeless population. Thanks to a broad base of financial support from the faith community, and the volunteer help of doctors, nurses, dentists and others, the Center has grown to become the largest faith-based clinic of its type in the country. Currently, the Center cares for 50,000 patients of record without relying on government funding. Through their onsite wellness facility, the Hope and Healing Center, patients are educated on health promotion and disease management and encouraged to make healthy lifestyle choices. As many as 25 such clinics in the U.S. have been patterned after the Center. Regarding the health care services provided by the Center, Dr. Morris stated, "Our criteria is to provide the same quality that you would expect your mother to receive. And I think for the most part we do that."

"Dr. Morris is a true visionary, incorporating faith-based health care into the community," said AMA Foundation President Barbara Rockett. "The Church Health Center provides care to the working uninsured and homeless, and serves as a model for communities around the country."

The Pride in the Profession Awards were created by the AMA Foundation to honor physicians who, through their service, have brought a sense of pride to the medical profession and whose actions promote the art and science of medicine and the advancement of public health.

As the philanthropic arm of the American Medical Association, the AMA Foundation is committed to advancing healthcare in America through programs in medical education, research and public health. For more information, please visit the AMA Foundation Web site or call (312) 464-4200.

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For more information, please contact:

Leah Dudowicz
AMA Media Relations
(312) 464-4812