Senior physicians recognized for caring for the underserved

Four physicians are being recognized by the AMA Foundation for showing an extraordinary commitment to leadership, community service and care for those in need—each with decades of service that run the gamut from Ebola research to primary care. Find out who has been awarded this year’s honors. Serving underserved international populations The AMA Foundation presented this year’s Excellence in Medicine Awards to  physicians June 10 at the 2016 AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago. Jennifer A. Downs, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine and assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at the Center for Global Health at Weill Cornell Medical College, is equally comfortable in Ithaca as in her small concrete home in Tanzania. When she went to that country years ago as a rotating resident, she didn’t suspect she would develop a heartfelt commitment to caring for its people. “But now I love this country,” said Dr. Downs, “and it is difficult to imagine not working here.” She is the recipient of this year’s Dr. Debasish Mridha Spirit of Medicine Award, which recognizes a U.S. physician who has demonstrated altruism, compassion, integrity, leadership and personal sacrifice while providing care to marginalized populations. Dr. Downs’ first days working with the underserved population of Africa led to an epiphany: “I took care of women younger than I was who were dying of AIDS,” she recalled. “It was haunting. And I knew then that I wanted to ...
Source: AMA Wire - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Source Type: news