Lawrenceville, NJ, December 12, 2018 – MDAdvantage Insurance Company, a leading provider of medical professional liability insurance, today announced the 2019 EJI Excellence in Medicine award recipients. Honoring New Jersey healthcare providers, the Excellence in Medicine Awards are considered to be the highest honors presented to New Jersey’s medical community.
Patricia A. Costante, Chairman and CEO of MDAdvantage, stated, “MDAdvantage is proud to again present and support the Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Awards®. Being able to recognize all the progress that has been made in healthcare since the awards were first bestowed in 1939 is an honor and a privilege for all of us involved. My hope is that by highlighting these advances, we are able to inspire the healthcare providers and leaders of tomorrow.”
The 2019 EJI Excellence in Medicine Honorees:
Outstanding Medical Educator Award:
Stephen Garrett, PhD, Associate Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Rutgers School of Graduate Studies.
Dr. Garrett is being honored for his contributions to medical education in New Jersey and for his passionate commitment to developing the next generation of physicians and scientists.
Outstanding Medical Educator Award:
Bonita F. Stanton, MD, Founding Dean, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University and President, Academic Enterprise, Hackensack Meridian Health.
Dr. Stanton is being honored as an innovator and visionary in leading the development of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University.
Outstanding Healthcare Executive Award:
Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Trinitas Health and Trinitas Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Horan is being honored for his outstanding career of service to the advancement of excellence in healthcare administration.
Edward J. Ill Physician’s Award®:
Roger K. Strair, MD, PhD, Chief of the Division of Blood Disorders, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and Professor of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Dr. Strair was selected to receive this award in recognition of his passion and dedication to the community of patients he serves as a top medical oncologist as well as the clinical advances he has made to the field of leukemia, lymphoma and blood disorders.
Verice M. Mason Community Service Leader Award:
David S. Kountz, MD, MBA (on behalf of Hackensack Meridian Health), Co-Chief Academic Officer and Vice President for Academic Diversity at Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), Vice President, Academic Affairs, HMH Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and Founding Associate Dean for Diversity and Equity at Hackensack Meridian Health School of Medicine at Seton Hall University.
Dr. Kountz is being honored for his commitment to community outreach, his dedication to the promotion of diversity in the healthcare environment and his passion for educating and inspiring students to pursue careers in the health professions.
Outstanding Scientist Award:
William C. Gause, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Research, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), and Director, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, and Director, NJMS Center for Immunity and Inflammation.
Dr. Gause is being honored for his significant contributions as a medical researcher in infectious and inflammatory diseases.
Peter W. Rodino, Jr., Citizen’s Award®:
Jack Morris, CEO and President, Edgewood Properties, and Chairman, RWJBarnabas Health Board of Trustees and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Board of Directors.
Mr. Morris was chosen to receive this award in recognition of his many accomplishments as a community leader and his dedication to improving the quality of life and raising the health status of New Jerseyans.
All profits from the event will be dedicated to support medical and healthcare student scholarships. Paul J. Hirsch, MD, Chairman of the EJI Excellence in Medicine Foundation, said, “As healthcare leaders, we have an obligation to pave the way for future healthcare providers so that they may continue the tradition of quality healthcare delivery and innovation in our state.”
The 2019 scholarship recipients are:
- Fernando Arias (Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Class of 2019)
- Nicole Caltabiano (Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 2019)
- Jodie Kunkel (Rutgers School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2019)
- A. Michael Luciani (Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Class of 2019)
- Christina McArdle (Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Class of 2019)
- Morit Segui (Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Class of 2019)
- Robert Vagueiro (Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2019)
The 2019 awards will be presented at the Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Awards® ceremony on May 1, 2019, at Park Château Estate and Gardens in East Brunswick, New Jersey. To reserve tickets, participate as a Scholarship Honor Roll member, place an ad in this year’s awards journal or make a direct contribution, please contact the EJI Excellence in Medicine Foundation at 609-803-2350 or visit www.EJIawards.org.
MDAdvantage Insurance Company, a leading provider of medical professional liability insurance, sponsors the EJI Excellence in Medicine awards program and supports medical and healthcare student scholarships. For more information on MDAdvantage, call 888-355-5551 or visit www.MDAdvantageonline.com.
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About MDAdvantage
MDAdvantage is a leading medical professional liability insurance company that is committed to supporting physician initiatives that increase patient safety and minimize the risks of liability, educating the healthcare community and investing in the future of the healthcare system. MDAdvantage® publishes MDAdvisor, a peer-reviewed, MEDLINE®-indexed journal for the medical community.
