September 29, 2020
WSMA Recognizes Member Physicians, Others for Exemplary Service
Seattle, Wash. - Twelve physician members, one medical student member, and one health care organization have been recognized by the Washington State Medical Association for going above and beyond the call of duty in leadership, contributions, and service to medicine. The recognitions were part of the medical association's Apple Awards program, and the awards were presented during the 2020 WSMA Annual Meeting on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Recipients of the 2020 Apple Awards included:
Kathy Lofy, MD, Kirkland epidemiologist and pediatrician, received the President's Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes the WSMA member who offers extraordinary service to the profession to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care. As the state health officer and chief science officer at the Washington State Department of Health, Dr. Lofy is one of a handful of people at the helm of the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Darin Neven, MD, Spokane emergency medicine physician, received the Community Advocate Award, which recognizes a member of the community who provides extraordinary support to, and advocacy for, the house of medicine. Dr. Neven is the founder of Consistent Care in Spokane, whose work with patients with complex care needs serves as a standard across our state.
Vera Schulte, Seattle medical student, received the Early Career Member of the Year Award, which recognizes a WSMA member for their service to the association's early career members (physicians in their first 10 years of practice, resident physicians, and medical students). Schulte is a fourth-year medical student at University of Washington School of Medicine and has been a passionate voice for students in her role as chair of the WSMA's Medical Student Section.
The Everett Clinic received the Wellness Award, a new award in the Apple Awards program that recognizes an organization that has worked to put the joy back in medicine for Washington physicians.
The Everett Clinic was honored for its efforts to improve professional fulfillment and reduce burnout at their organization.
Three WSMA members received the Grassroots Advocate Award, which recognizes their advocacy efforts and activities supporting WSMA legislative priorities. They include:
Jeff Duchin, MD, Seattle epidemiologist and infectious disease physician and public health officer for Seattle-King County, for his expertise and leadership during COVID-19; John Scott, MD, Seattle allergy and infectious disease physician, Harborview Medical Center, for his support of WSMA's efforts to achieve telemedicine payment parity during the pandemic; and Donna Smith, MD, Seattle pediatrician, Virginia Mason, for her help in persuading the Legislature to extend COVID-19 proclamations supporting physicians and health care.
Seven WSMA members received the William O. Robertson, MD, Patient Safety Award, which recognizes initiatives or advocates for patient safety. The following infectious disease physicians were honored for their efforts responding to the pandemic: Chris Baliga, MD, Virginia Mason, Seattle; Peter Hashisaki, MD, Overlake Medical Center & Clinics, Bellevue; John Lynch, MD, UW Medicine, Seattle; John Pauk, MD, Swedish Center for Comprehensive Care, Seattle; Francis Riedo, MD, EvergreenHealth, Kirkland; Olympia Tachopoulou Stafford, MD, CHI Franciscan, Tacoma; and Danielle Zerr, MD, Seattle Children's.
"Just as the apple represents good health, these individuals and organizations represent exemplary efforts to protect and preserve the health of Washingtonians, all the more extraordinary given the unimaginable difficulties they have faced," said WSMA's outgoing 2020 president, William Hirota, MD, who presented the awards during the association's virtual meeting. "We are truly grateful for their service to medicine."
Watch the presentations of the 2020 Apple Awards.
For more information, contact:
Graham Short
Associate Director of Communications
Washington State Medical Association
206.329.6851 (cell/text)
gfs@wsma.org
About the WSMA
The Washington State Medical Association represents more than 11,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians and medical students in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.