Seven Scholarships Distributed to New Jersey Healthcare Scholarship Recipients
Lawrenceville, NJ, May 9, 2017 – A group of outstanding New Jerseyans were lauded on May 3rd when the Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Awards® honored physicians and healthcare leaders at a black-tie event. These coveted awards are among the highest honors given in New Jersey’s medical community. MDAdvantage, a leading provider of medical professional liability insurance, sponsors the state’s longest-running medical awards program to recognize New Jersey’s healthcare efforts.
“Our physicians, scientists and executives are among the top in the nation,” said Patricia A. Costante, Chairman and CEO of MDAdvantage. “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 2017 Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Honorees:
Outstanding Medical Educator Award:
John W. Sensakovic, MD, PhD, Infectious disease specialist, Associate Dean for Residencies and Fellowships, Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences/Seton Hall University-Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, and Director of Infection Control and Continuing Medical Education, JFK Medical Center
Outstanding Healthcare Executive Award:
Alexander J. Hatala, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lourdes Health System
Edward J. Ill Physician’s Award®:
Maria Soto-Greene, MD, MS-HPEd, Vice Dean and Professor of Medicine and Director, Hispanic Center of Excellence, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Verice M. Mason Community Service Leader Award:
Chantal Brazeau, MD, Professor and Interim Chair of Family Medicine and Assistant Dean for Faculty Vitality, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
On behalf of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Student Family Health Care Center
Outstanding Scientist Award:
Larry Hirsch, MD, Worldwide Vice President, Medical Affairs, Diabetes Care, BD
Outstanding Scientist Award:
Nancy D. Connell, PhD, Professor and Director of Research and Director, Center for BioDefense, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Peter W. Rodino, Jr., Citizen’s Award®:
Alfred F. Tallia, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and Founding Executive Director/CEO, Robert Wood Johnson Partners, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the RWJBarnabas Health System
In addition to the awards bestowed upon this year’s honorees, seven New Jersey healthcare students were selected as recipients of the Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Scholarship Fund. This year’s fundraising efforts enabled the Foundation to distribute seven scholarships to talented students at New Jersey medical, dental and physician assistant programs. This year’s scholarships bring the total scholarship contributions to $580,000 provided to 50 students over the past eight years.
The 2017 scholarship recipients:
- Michael Cacoilo of Edison, NJ (Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Class of 2017)
- Kathryn Eckert of Middletown, NJ (Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 2018)
- Sydney Hyder of Moorestown, NJ (Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Class of 2017)
- Timothy Lopez of Parlin, NJ (Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2018)
- Mark McShane of Cherry Hill, NJ (Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Class of 2019)
- Mary Thompson of Burlington, NJ (Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Class of 2017)
- Devin Walford Godwin of Somerset, NJ (Rutgers School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2017)
“I am so grateful for the support we received this year for our scholarship fund,” said Paul J. Hirsch, MD, Chairman of the Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Foundation. “In particular, I would like to thank all of our Scholarship Honor Roll members, especially RWJBarnabas Health and BD, who joined MDAdvantage as 2017 Pinnacle of Excellence in Healthcare Society Members. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge Excellence in Medicine Society members Vincent K. McInerney, MD, John Callaghan, MD, Anthony Festa, MD, Anthony J. Scillia, MD, and Craig Wright, MD, of New Jersey Orthopaedic Institute. These generous donors and many others came through to join MDAdvantage in investing in the future of New Jersey medicine.”
The Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2018 awards program. The deadline for submissions is August 18, 2017. For more information on the awards program and the nomination process, visit www.EJIawards.org.
To learn more about this year’s honorees and their perspectives on healthcare, see the Spring 2017 issue of MDAdvisor. For more information on MDAdvisor, including subscription and advertisement opportunities, go to www.MDAdvantageonline.com/MDAdvisor.
About MDAdvantage: MDAdvantage Insurance Company is a leading provider of medical professional liability insurance and the publisher of MDAdvisor. For more information on MDAdvantage, call 888-355-5551 or visit www.MDAdvantageonline.com.
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