Important Issues

Last Friday, May 5, MSDC celebrated the second Capital Healthcare Honors at the National Press Club. MSDC President Dr. Susanne Bathgate and past president Dr. Raymond Tu co-hosted the well-attended event honoring DC’s healthcare community and featuring local and national luminaries. 

Among the physician leaders present was Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, president-elect of the American Medical Association (AMA).  Dr. Ehrenfeld called attention to MSDC’s prior authorization reform campaign and urged the community to remove the barriers that prior authorization places on practices, patients, and health. 

Dr. Peter Lavine, a three-time MSDC president, received the Certificate of Meritorious Service for service to the profession.  He has been a vocal healthcare reform advocate throughout his career and active in organized medicine, serving as the current chair of MSDC’s AMA Delegation.  Dr. Ehrenfeld also commended Dr. Lavine for his service to the profession and the AMA.

The late Dr. John Larsen received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of service to the Medical Society. MSDC President Dr. Susanne Bathgate, a mentee of Dr. Larsen, co-presented the award with DC Health Chief of Staff Dr. Jacqueline Watson, who recognized Dr. Larsen’s service on the DC Board of Medicine. Dr. Larsen’s widow, Joan Larsen, accepted the award on his behalf and shared the poem, The Bridge Builder, by Will Allen Dromgoole.

Dr. James Taylor received the John Benjamin Nichols Award, presented by UnitedHealthcare, for his outstanding contributions to the health of the community. Dr. Taylor is the director of the Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease, and he has dedicated his career to this damaging disease which disproportionately impacts African Americans.  Daniel Wilson, director of marketing and outreach for UnitedHealthcare, commended Dr. Taylor for his work. 

Dr. Constance Bohon received the Dr. Charles H. Epps, III Community Service Award in recognition of her outstanding public service to the community.  A vigorous supporter of women’s health, she helped to organize a committee to review maternal mortality in the District and has long fought for maternal health coverage. 

At the event, MSDC also highlighted its new pooled employer program and work by its gender equity task force.  MSDC thanks the following event supporters for their support: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, UnitedHealthcare, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Prestige Healthcare Resources, MedStar Family Choice – District of Columbia, Bridgepoint, Amerigroup, AmeriHealth Caritas – District of Columbia, and Janssen.