HJNO May/Jun 2023

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  MAY / JUN 2023 57 uninsured. She is an educator, researcher, innovator, collaborator, and mentor to med- ical students, residents, and colleagues. She is dedicated to equity and access. Through her example, Jernigan always encourages her colleagues and partners to pursue their own collaborative research interests. Pridjian said, “It is an honor and a priv- ilege to such a deserving physician who is appreciated and respected by her patients, colleagues, staff and medical students and residents. She truly is an outstanding role model.” PATIENT & PHYSICIAN ADVOCATE AWARD Recipient: Jamie Kuo, MD Kuo is a board-certified emergency med- icine and critical care physician. She gradu- ated fromLouisiana State University School of Medicine in 2007. Presently, she works with Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System and is also on the clinical staff of Ochsner Health. She was nominated by Erin McVey, MD. McVey said, “Dr. Kuo has been a tireless advocate for patients and physicians alike, working nonstop to educate not only our group but also our colleagues in Louisiana regarding scope creep, appropriate collab- oration with nurse practitioners and PAs, and so on. She founded a Louisiana-centric group specifically to address this-Louisiana Physicians for Patients. She personally has contacted and met with our state represen- tatives, city representatives and has tire- lessly fought against scope creep bills each year. She has spent countless hours flying up to Washington DC to meet with other physicians and representatives to further this goal.” Pridjian said, “This is the passion for advocacy that we want all physicians to consider. It’s only through carrying our pa- tients’ and physicians’ challenges to elect- ed officials that we can educate them and their staff to what’s best for quality care and access.” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN MEDICINE AWARD Recipient: Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD, FACS The award was presented posthumously to Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD, FACS, and was received on his behalf by his wife, Robin Palmisano. Pridjian said, “The Lifetime in MedicineAchievement Award is bittersweet for MASELA to present; however, it is one which recognizes a giant in organized med- icine whose dedication and commitment to improving our health care systemwill be felt for generations to come.” Palmisano died as a result of a fall in late November 2022. He was a skilled surgeon, attorney, charismatic leader, proud veter- an and patriot, visionary strategist, stalwart champion and advocate, effective teacher and storyteller, humble mentor and role model, lifelong learner, talented photog- rapher, accomplished author, sought-after orator, and frequent commentator. Palmisano saw organizedmedicine as the instrument of change, and he knew that “to- gether we are stronger,”encouraging physi- cians to be engaged in their local, state, and national organizations. He was a believer in “walking the walk and talking the talk.” He recognized advocacy and leadership were needed to improve policy, laws, and regulation — first becoming active at the lo- cal level in Orleans Parish Medical Society and later as president of the Louisiana State Medical Society. Recognizing that many health reform issues were best addressed on a national stage within the “House of Medicine”, Palmisano campaigned for and was elected to the American Medical Asso- ciation’s board of trustees and then became the 158th president of the AMA in 2003. Robin Palmisano shared appreciation to MASELA for this award and noted his many colleagues in the audience at the Celebra- tion of Medicine. She was joined by mem- bers of their family to receive this touching tribute. n Pictured with award recipients are Gabriella Pridjian, MD, MASELA 2023 president and George S. Ellis, Jr., MD, MASELA 2022 president. Physician Well-being Champion Award recipient Nigel Girgrah, MD, PhD Public Health Leadership Award recipient Holly Gore Groh, MD Patient & Physician Advocate Award recipient Jamie Kuo, MD