South Carolinan honored with Citizenship and Community Service Award

SAN DIEGO — The American Medical Association (AMA) presented William H. Hester, M.D., associate dean of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia, with the Benjamin Rush Award for Citizenship and Community Service for a lifetime of service to his country and community. The award recognizes physicians who have gone above and beyond their professional call of duty to make an outstanding public service contribution.

“As a high school teacher, battalion surgeon in Vietnam, family physician and trailblazer, Dr. Hester has spent his entire life leading and serving,” said AMA President Patrice A. Harris, M.D., M.A. “Across 51 years of medical service, he has distinguished himself and improved the lives and health of the people around him. It is an honor to present him with this award.”