Lawrenceville, NJ, December 10, 2019 – MDAdvantage Insurance Company, a leading provider of medical professional liability insurance, today announced the 2020 EJI Excellence in Medicine award recipients. Honoring New Jersey healthcare leaders, 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 honored to again sponsor the Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Awards® . Being able to recognize the progress that has been made in healthcare since the awards were first bestowed in 1939 is a privilege for all of us involved. My hope is that by highlighting the contributions of prominent New Jersey healthcare professionals, we are able to inspire the healthcare providers and leaders of tomorrow.”
All profits from the event will be dedicated to support medical, dental, pharmacy and physician assistant 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 care delivery and innovation in our state. 2020 marks the 10th anniversary of the first scholarships bestowed by the Foundation, and we are proud to continue to grow the scholarship fund in an effort to retain medical talent in New Jersey.”
The 2020 EJI Excellence in Medicine Honorees:
Outstanding Medical Educator Award:
Linda Boyd, DO, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Family Medicine, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Boyd is being honored for her contributions to medical education in New Jersey and for her passionate commitment to developing the next generation of physicians, particularly in primary care.
Outstanding Healthcare Executive Award:
John F. Bonamo, MD, MS, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical and Quality Officer, RWJBarnabas Health.
Dr. Bonamo is being honored for his proven track record of excellence in hospital leadership and his commitment to the delivery of high-quality healthcare in New Jersey.
Outstanding Healthcare Executive Award:
Steven K. Libutti, MD, Director, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey; Senior Vice President, Oncology Services, RWJBarnabas Health; and Vice Chancellor, Cancer Programs, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.
Dr. Libutti is being honored for his significant contributions in the field of oncology and for his leadership role in bringing cutting-edge cancer therapies to New Jersey through research and collaborative investigation.
Edward J. Ill Physician’s Award®:
Marco A. Zarbin, MD, PhD, Alfonse Cinotti, MD/New Jersey Lions Eye Research Professor and Chair, Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Dr. Zarbin was selected to receive this award in recognition of his reputation as a world-class ophthalmologist and his passion and dedication to the community of patients he serves.
Verice M. Mason Community Service Leader Award:
Eric G. Jahn, MD, (on behalf of Eric B. Chandler Health Center), Senior Associate Dean for Community Health, Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health, and Division Chief of Community Health, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Dr. Jahn is being honored for his dedication to community service and his commitment to increasing equity and access to affordable, quality healthcare services. The Eric B. Chandler Health Center serves the needs of the medically underserved residents of New Brunswick, NJ, and its surrounding communities.
Outstanding Scientist Award:
Vivian Bellofatto, PhD, Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Dr. Bellofatto is being honored for her significant contributions as a medical researcher to alleviate infectious diseases of the poor, especially in developing countries, and for her dedication to mentoring the next generation of research scientists.
Outstanding Scientist Award:
David S. Perlin, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President, Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation; and Professor of Medical Sciences, Hackensack Meridian School at Seton Hall University.
Dr. Perlin is being honored for his significant accomplishments as a researcher and visionary in the development of innovative therapies to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Peter W. Rodino, Jr., Citizen’s Award®:
Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN, President, Morristown Medical Center; and Vice President, Atlantic Health System.
Dr. O’Keefe was chosen to receive this award in recognition of her many accomplishments as an exceptional leader and her dedication to improving the quality of life and to raising the health status of New Jerseyans.
Special Award for Innovation:
Joseph V. DiTrolio, MD, Urologist and Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery–Division of Urology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Dr. DiTrolio was chosen to receive this special award in recognition of his entrepreneurial spirit and his creative innovations in the development of medical equipment focused on the use of fiber optics.
Special Award for Innovation:
Charles J. Gatt, Jr., MD, Orthopaedic surgeon, University Orthopaedic Associates; and Chair, Program Director and Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Michael G. Dunn, PhD, Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Gatt and Dr. Dunn are also co-founders of NovoPedics, Inc.
Dr. Gatt and Dr. Dunn were chosen to receive this special award in recognition of their innovations in developing MeniscoFix™, an implantable medical device intended to restore mobility to patients suffering from severe meniscal knee injuries.
The 2020 awards will be presented at the Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Awards® ceremony on May 6, 2020, 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.
###
About MDAdvantage
MDAdvantage is a leading medical professional liability insurance company that is committed to supporting physician initiatives that increase patient safety, educate the healthcare community and invest in the future of the healthcare system. In addition to sponsoring the EJI Excellence in Medicine awards program, MDAdvantage® also publishes MDAdvisor, a peer-reviewed, MEDLINE®-indexed journal for the medical community. For more information on MDAdvantage, call 888-355-5551 or visit www.MDAdvantageonline.com.
