Overview
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2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
Dr. Debasish Mridha Spirit of Medicine Award
Recognizes the work of U.S. physicians who demonstrate altruism, compassion, integrity, leadership and personal sacrifice while providing quality health care to destitute, distressed or marginalized populations in underserved communities
John A. Johnson, MD, MBA
Dr. John Johnson is a board-certified psychiatrist with more than three decades of experience in mental health care spanning three continents and is an associate professor of psychiatry at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Ohio. Dr. Johnson embodies a philosophy of creating an ecosystem to help the most marginalized patients become more empowered, productive and balanced members of society.
In honor of Dr. Johnson, a $2,500 grant was awarded to East Ohio Regional Hospital.
2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
Dr. Edmond and Rima Cabbabe Dedication to the Profession Award
Honors physicians committed to expanding knowledge through teaching, conducting research and publishing
Lynn Jeffers, MD, MBA, FACS
Dr. Lynn Jeffers chairs the AMA Council on Medical Service and the AMA Section on Plastic Reconstructive and Maxillofacial Surgery. She also is a trustee and past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. She serves as the chief medical officer at St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo, the medical director at the Integrated Breast Center and a plastic surgeon in her independent private practice in the Los Angeles area.
In honor of Dr. Jeffers, a $1,250 grant was awarded to the St. John’s Healthcare Foundation and a $1,250 grant was awarded to the Plastic Surgery Foundation.
2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
Dr. Jacqueline A. Bello Friend of the AMA Foundation Award
Honors AMA staff, donors and volunteers for their active engagement and unwavering support of the AMA Foundation
Joshua Cohen, MD, MPH
Dr. Joshua Cohen is chief medical officer at Braeburn, a Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania-based company. Dr. Cohen, board-certified in neurology and headache medicine, has served on the AMA Foundation Board of Directors and as the foundation’s president from 2017–18. Dr. Cohen founded the AMA Foundation National LGBTQ+ Fellowship Program which aims to dramatically improve the quality of LGBTQ+ health care across the nation.
In honor of Dr. Cohen, a $2,500 grant was awarded to the AMA Foundation National LGBTQ+ Fellowship Program.
2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
Excellence in LGBTQ Health Award (Physician)
Recognizes physicians, residents, fellows and final-year medical students who have demonstrated outstanding work, innovation and leadership in LGBTQ+ policy, and advocacy, patient care, academics, workforce diversity or health care administration
Jeremy Toler, MD
Dr. Jeremy Toler is an assistant professor of clinical child neurology at Louisiana State University (LSU), medical director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s Hospital New Orleans and co-director of the LSU Epilepsy Center. He has served two terms on the AMA Advisory Committee on LGBTQ Issues, representing the AMA Medical Student Section and the AMA Resident and Fellow Section.
In honor of Dr. Toler, a $2,500 grant was awarded to GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality.
2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
Excellence in LGBTQ Health Award (Physician)
Recognizes physicians, residents, fellows and final-year medical students who have demonstrated outstanding work, innovation and leadership in LGBTQ+ policy, and advocacy, patient care, academics, workforce diversity or health care administration
Carl Streed Jr., MD, MPH, FACP
Dr. Carl Streed is an assistant professor at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and the research lead for the GenderCare Center at Boston Medical Center. He has chaired the AMA Advisory Committee on LGBTQ Issues, served on the board of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality and now is president-elect of the US Professional Association for Transgender Health.
In honor of Dr. Streed, a $1,250 grant was awarded to the GenderCare Center at Boston Medical Center and a $1,250 grant was awarded to the Point Foundation.
2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
Excellence in LGBTQ Health Award (Medical Student)
Recognizes physicians, residents, fellows and final-year medical students who have demonstrated outstanding work, innovation and leadership in LGBTQ+ policy, and advocacy, patient care, academics, workforce diversity or health care administration
Mollie Marr, MD, PhD
Dr. Mollie Marr is a psychiatry intern at Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean in the Physician Scientist Training Program. She is passionate about increasing access and support for low-income, LGBTQIA+ and underrepresented students historically excluded in medicine and science. Dr. Marr was a 2022 GLMA Health Professional in Training Fellow and is the outgoing medical student representative to the AMA Advisory Committee on LGBTQ Issues.
In honor of Dr. Marr, a $2,500 grant was awarded to the Medical Student Pride Alliance.
2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award for Excellence in Volunteerism
Honors older adult physicians committed to providing medical care to those without access to health care in the U.S.
Josef Machac, MD
Dr. Machac is the a former director of nuclear cardiology and medicine and professor of radiology and medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He has authored or co-authored more than a dozen book chapters and 120 peer-reviewed scientific publications as well as hundreds of abstracts.
In honor of Dr. Machac, a $2,500 grant was awarded to the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative.
2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
Pride in the Profession Award
Recognizes physicians who help communities that are underserved by limited access to health care
Florence Jameson, MD
Dr. Florence Jameson is an OB/GYN who has been in private practice for nearly 40 years. She is also the CEO of Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, a free health clinic dedicated to providing medical services to patients who are uninsured. Dr. Jameson is a past president of the Nevada State Medical Association.
In honor of Dr. Jameson, a $2,500 grant was awarded to Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada.
2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
Courage in Women’s Health Advocacy Award
Recognizes deserving physicians dedicated to clinically advancing women’s health or demonstrating courageous advocacy in support of women’s health
Caitlin Bernard, MD, MSCI, FACOG
Dr. Caitlin Bernard is an OB/GYN and complex family planning specialist who is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Her clinical, research and advocacy work focus on expanding access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including contraception, abortion, miscarriage and pregnancy care.
In honor of Dr. Bernard, a $2,500 grant was awarded to Physicians for Reproductive Health.
2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
International Award in Medicine
Honors physicians for outstanding international service in the areas of medical practice, medical education or medical research
Warren Heffron, MD
Dr. Heffron has an extensive career in international work, expanding 23 different countries on six continents. He served on the board of directors of the World Organization of Family Doctors and was the regional vice president for the Americas. Dr. Heffron is a founder of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine. He was president of the New Mexico Medical Society and an alternate delegate to the AMA.
In honor of Dr. Heffron, a $1,250 grant was awarded to the UNM Foundation Warren and Rosalee Heffron Fellowship and a $1,250 grant was awarded to In His Image International.
2023 Excellence in Medicine Awards
AMA Foundation Award for Leadership in Medical Ethics and Professionalism
Honors people dedicated to the principles of medical ethics and the highest standards of medical practice and who have made an outstanding contribution through active service in medical ethics activities. The award is in partnership with the AMA.
Matthew Wynia, MD, MPH
Dr. Matthew Wynia is the director of the University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities. He previously spent 18 years at the AMA, where he led the Institute for Ethics and the Center for Patient Safety and was director of patient and physician engagement.
In honor of Dr. Wynia, a $2,500 grant was awarded to the University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities.
