Do you know a fellow physician who has led an exemplary career of service, working tirelessly to improve public health, provide the highest quality care and serve the community? Nominate him or her for an AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Award by Jan. 20.
The AMA Foundation presents the annual awards to honor physicians who embody the highest values of the medical profession: altruism, public service and dedication to patient care.
- Pride in the Profession Award: Physicians aiding underserved patients in the United States
- Dr. Nathan Davis International Award: Physicians aiding an international population
- Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award: Senior physicians improving access to care in the United States
- Dr. Debasish Mridha Spirit of Medicine Award: Physicians serving impoverished domestic communities
- Leadership Awards: Medical students, residents, fellows and early-career physicians who demonstrate outstanding nonclinical leadership skills
Last year’s Pride in the Profession Award winner Darryl C. Hunter, MD (pictured right), said he was “honored and humbled” to receive the award. “There are few ways to thank our colleagues who dedicate timeless hours beyond their practice to improve the lives of those in our communities,” Dr. Hunter said. “I can’t think of a higher honor than to be nominated for an Excellence in Medicine Award.”
A colonel in the Air Force Reserves and a physician working with the Permanente Medical Group, Dr. Hunter is the founder and managing partner of the Sacramento Community Cancer Coalition. This organization provides cancer screenings, vision exams and dental care to thousands of patients from underserved communities.
He’s also a co-founder of two important groups for local veterans: the Sacramento Community Veterans Alliance, which is committed to connecting veterans to health care benefits, and the first California chapter of the Kaiser Permanente Veterans Association, a resource group that advocates for the health rights and respectful treatment of veterans.
Dr. Hunter also has memorialized the spirit and teachings of his parents with the Dr. Ernest and Arthella Hunter Foundation, which provides scholarships to outstanding pre-medical students who provide community service to the underserved.
Receiving the award “reinforced my belief that community service and mentorship should be fostered as part of our profession’s culture,” Dr. Hunter said. “It has provided me with the opportunity to raise even greater awareness of the needs of the communities served by the Dr. Ernest and Arthella Hunter Foundation.”
This year’s awards will be presented at a reception June 6 during the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago. Award recipients will receive a $2,500 grant for their organization plus hotel and travel reimbursement to attend these events. Further details about award criteria are available on the AMA Foundation Web page.
