7/3/2007
Learn about our residents and students who received scholarships and awards at our 2007 Annual Meeting...
Dr. Roy H. Virak Memorial Scholarship – Stephanie S. Dittmer, MD, TacomaThis WAFP award is named for Dr. Roy Virak, whose professional and personal life was dedicated to the service of his patients and his community. He demonstrated the old-fashioned values of the family doctor while working to develop public and professional recognition of family medicine as a medical specialty. Each year, the WAFP Foundation presents this scholarship to a deserving family medicine resident to both reward and encourage the resident’s continued quest to serve as a shining example of a family physician.
Dr. Dittmer was nominated by Kevin Murray, MD, Program Director at Tacoma Family Medicine Residency Program. In his nomination letter, Dr. Murray noted that “Dr. Dittmer combines a high degree of physician professionalism with the formation of strong empathetic bonds with patients and personal commitment to improving the health of her community.” Dr. Dittmer created and currently teaches a diabetes awareness program for middle school students in the local Latino community to educate and empower them about prevention of diabetes through nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choices. In Dr. Dittmer’s own words, “we are hoping to develop a relationship with the middle school and this segment of Tacoma’s community. Over time, we hope to build on this relationship to strengthen the community’s access to health care.” Dr. Dittmer exemplifies the spirit of service and responsibility to community, and the WAFP Foundation salutes her.
Diverse Constituencies Scholarship – Karen Cross, SeattleUWSOM student Karen Cross has experienced health care delivery and education across a wide spectrum of settings – from her childhood in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to college studies at Boston University and Boise State University, to the University of Washington. Throughout, her compelling goal has been to “become a family physician working in a medical health professional shortage area to address the health care needs of the medically underserved.” As a woman of color, Karen Cross has worked tirelessly to educate herself about cultures and ethnicities – including Native American, Latino and refugee cultures – to eliminate barriers to good care and embrace cultural differences. She believes that everyone deserves quality care so that they can be more productive and have a decent quality of life. The WAFP Foundation is pleased to contribute to her dream with this $1,000 scholarship.
Diverse Constituencies Scholarship – Margaret Onwuka, SeattleMargaret Onwuka, another UWSOM student, has been exploring working in the underserved community for several years. Her experiences at the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in Seattle’s Central District, as an intern for AmeriCorps’ Sports4Kids Fitkids and San Francisco General Hospital’s Healthy Kids programs, and with the YMCA King County and Children’s Hospital Strong Kids/Strong Teens program have, in her words, “heightened my awareness of the need for committed doctors and caregivers both in my local community and in the greater human community.” Margaret Onwuka looks forward to practicing in an inner-city community clinic where she will have an opportunity to make a long-lasting impact on her patients’ health and lifestyles. The WAFP Foundation is pleased to support her efforts with this $1,000 scholarship.
Student Award for Excellence in Family Medicine Research – Amy Rodriguez, SeattleUWSOM graduating student Amy Rodriguez has been selected as winner of the Excellence in Research award based on her project, “The Malpractice Insurance Crisis and Obstetrical Provider Shortages in Rural Washington: An Impending Health Disaster.” The award recognizes original research that is reported clearly, demonstrates scientific rigor, is relevant to family medicine and offers potential impact on patient care, policy, public health or education. The WAFP Foundation is pleased to honor Amy Rodriguez’ academic excellence with this $500 award.
The Washington Academy of Family Physicians Foundation is pleased to announce that they have renamed this award, the Alfred O. Berg Student Award for Excellence in Family Medicine Research. This award honors the faithful service of Dr. Berg, who is retiring as Chair of the Family Medicine Department at the UW School of Medicine.
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