Physicians honored for exemplary service to patients

The founder of a camp for chronically ill children and the creator of a breast cancer fund-raising stamp are among those honored as physician heroes.

By Bonnie Booth, amednews staff. April 17, 2000.

Miami Beach, Fla. -- As a general surgeon, Balazs Imre Bodai, MD, has treated close to 3,000 women with breast cancer. After repeatedly witnessing the devastating effects of the disease on its victims and their families, he went in search of a way to raise money for research and to increase awareness of the disease.

He contacted the U.S. postmaster with an idea for a postage stamp, and was turned down. Then he contacted all the country's women legislators. Again he was ignored. It was only when he went to Washington to plead his case in person that legislators took notice. After seven trips from his Sacramento, Calif., office to the nation's capital, his persistence paid off.

The Breast Cancer Awareness stamp has raised more than $16 million and become the second highest selling stamp in postal service history.

Dr. Bodai, president of the nonprofit Cure Breast Cancer Inc., is asking Congress to extend the bill that created the stamp.

Dr. Bodai was one of five physicians given Pride in the Profession awards at the AMA's National Leadership Development Conference. The awards, given by the AMA and underwritten by the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, are given annually to recognize physicians who exemplify the highest standards of service.

"While we often hear of those who so nobly push the frontiers of science, oftentimes true stories of greatness lie with those who labor tirelessly in service to their patients," said AMA Trustee Yank D. Coble, MD. "These are physicians who go the extra mile, who enrich their patients, their colleagues and the nation by their devotion to the practice of medicine."

Also honored were:

Kelsy J. Caplinger, MD, a pediatrician from Little Rock, Ark., who founded MedCamps, an innovative program that has provided more than 6,000 children with chronic or terminal illnesses or disabilities with unique opportunities.
Isabel Pino, MD, a pediatrician and director of the West Virginia Children's Health Project, who uses a van to provide health services to children in four of the state's most impoverished Appalachian counties.
William P. Magee, MD, founder and chair of the board of directors of Operation Smile, a charity that provides reconstructive surgery and related care to indigent children in 20 countries and the United States.
Donna E. Sweet, MD, an internist from Wichita, Kan., who is principal investigator of the Kansas AIDS Education and Training Center and was honored for her leadership in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS.

Each recipient acknowledged that much about the practice of medicine has changed and that many in the profession are discouraged by these changes. But they also stressed their work is a calling, not just a career.

"Medicine is not a job but a vocation that has many rewards and responsibilities," said Dr. Pino. "It is a lifelong commitment that is not left at the office or turned off at the end of the day."

And she issued an invitation to the disenchanted: "Come to my corner of West Virginia and rediscover how privileged you really are."

Dr. Caplinger said there are many reasons physicians should make time to volunteer -- not the least of which are to see how other people live and to help enhance the image of physicians. And he said the payoff is incredible.

"We experience a miracle a minute at camp," he said. "I consider all of my time at MedCamp well spent, and I'm extremely proud to be a doctor."