CHICAGO, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation will honor six physicians with awards representing the highest ideals of medical service in providing care to underserved patients. These physicians are recognized for their altruism, compassion, leadership, excellence, integrity and high ethical standards. The physicians will be presented with awards during the seventh annual Excellence in Medicine Awards dinner on March 9, 2009 preceding the AMA's National Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C.
'These physicians make a difference in the lives of uninsured and underinsured patients through efforts that range from providing mobile health clinics, to opening facilities in both cities and rural communities, to improving health care on a global level,' commented AMA Foundation President Jean Howard. 'They are selflessly volunteering their time, effort, knowledge and resources to improve people's health and well-being, and I can not think of a more noble calling.'
Four physicians will receive the Pride in the Profession Award, one physician will receive the Dr. Nathan Davis International Award in Medicine and the sixth physician will receive the Jack B. McConnell, M.D. Award for Excellence in Volunteerism.
The Pride in the Profession Awards honor physicians who aid underserved populations in the United States.
Randi Abramson, M.D. has dedicated her career to providing primary care to uninsured, primarily African-American and Latino patients, through Bread for the City, a Washington D.C. clinic that experiences over 8,000 patient visits each year.
Regina Benjamin, M.D., MBA founded the Bayou Le Batre Rural Health Clinic in Alabama, which she has rebuilt three times due to Hurricanes George and Katrina, as well as a fire. One third of this small fishing village is comprised of immigrants from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and more than 1 in 5 families live below the poverty level.
David Muller, M.D.'s entire clinical practice revolves around the care of homebound patients in New York City. Dr. Muller spearheaded Mount Sinai Visiting Doctors, the largest academic physician home visiting program in the country, which provides primary care and end-of-life care for 1,000 homebound patients annually in Harlem.