DOCTORS’ LOUNGE
(continued from page 27)
and abuse; (4) our smoke-free Louisville
initiative, which was led by former Mayor
Jerry Abramson, and achieved a historic
turnaround in Louisville’s smoking problem;
and (5) our rescue and restoration of Louisville’s historic medical education landmark,
the Old Medical School Building, which
now serves as the home of GLMS and its
many programs to support physicians and
patients.
Always a gala affair, the 2015 Doctors’
Ball was more special than ever, as this year
marked the 20th anniversary celebration of
the occasion. In addition to Mr. Woodmansee, the honorees were exceptional. The 2015
Ephraim McDowell Physician of the Year
was Morris Weiss, MD, a leading advocate
of medical humanism, medical ethics and
historic perspectives in medicine. Dr. Weiss
remains a model of professional dignity and
a thoughtful analyst of the many contemporary changes being imposed upon doctors
and patients. Melissa Currie, MD, received
the Excellence in Community Service
Award for her role in effectively combating
28
LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
child abuse as Chief of the Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine at the University
of Louisville. John Shaw, MD, received the
award for Excellence in International Humanitarian Service for his contributions to
care for the poor and modernizing medicine
in Korea, where a rehabilitation center has
been named in his honor. Eugene Shively,
MD, received the Compassionate Physician
Award for his caring service to his own patients and his humanitarian medical service
in the Caribbean and Africa. Jesse Wright,
MD, received the award for Excellence in
Mental Health for his contributions to care
of adults suffering depression and his pioneering work in establishing the University
of Louisville Depression Center. Michelle
Perry, RN, BSN, received the Excellence
in Nursing Award for her compassionate
care of bone marrow transplant patients in
the University of Louisville Bone Marrow
Transplant Intensive Care Unit, where she is
clinical nurse manager. Debbie Scoppechio
received the Community Leader of the Year
Award for her acclaimed business leader-
ship and for the many community service
organizations she has led and supported.
The evening was given an additional special meeting with the announcement that
proceeds would help fund a new mobile
cancer screening van for the under-served
Kentucky citizens, particularly in rural
areas. The Jewish Hospital and St. Mary’s
Foundation is partnering with First Lady
Jane Beshear to achieve this goal. In a state
with the highest incidence and death rates
in the nation for several cancers, this will
be a most significant contribution.
The 2015 Doctors’ Ball enthusiastically
celebrated Mr. Woodmansee and his fellow
honorees, and all attending expressed the
enduring gratitude of Louisville’s medical
community and citizens for their leadership
and gifts of service.
Note: Dr. Tobin is a professor at the University
of Louisville School of Medicine, Department
of Surgety, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He practices with UofL
Physicians-Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.