MSV honors physician leaders at 2008 Annual Meeting
20 October 2008
RICHMOND, VA - H. Lee Kanter, M.D., F.ACC of the Medical Society of Virginia’s (MSV) Second District, received the 2008 MSV Excellence in Advocacy Award at the Society’s Annual Meeting in Williamsburg in October.
“This award is in recognition of Dr. Kanter’s leadership of the MSV District 2 caucus and his dedication and tireless efforts to the ideals, ethics and professionalism of the Medical Society of Virginia and the Virginia Beach Medical Society,” said Dr. Rolfe White, who presented the award.
MSV also bestowed the Clarence A. Holland Award, presented annually to a Virginia physician for his or her outstanding contributions promoting the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health through political service, at the Annual Meeting.
MSV recognized J. Mott Robertson Jr., M.D. with this year’s award. Dr. Robertson, of Lynchburg, has been a physician and patient advocate for more than 35 years. He has served on the MSVPAC board for approximately 10 years as a member of the executive committee and as a director.
“Dr. Robertson’s contributions to MSVPAC can best be summarized with a quote from our staff,” said Dr. White. “’Dr. Robertson is our eyes when we are blind and our ears when fail to listen. At times, he is that board member who provides calm during a difficult debate. At other times, he is the leader who provides the idea that brings it all together. In short, he never stops pushing MSVPAC to improve its processes. He is always willing to do anything and everything to help the PAC succeed. If Virginia’s physician community had 10,000 Mott Robertson's there would be few battles left to fight.’”
During the MSV Advocacy Boot Camp program, Thomas W. Eppes, Jr., M.D., presented the MSV Legislator of the Year Award to Del. John O’Bannon, M.D., R-Richmond.
Dr. O’Bannon is a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy and the University of Richmond. He attended medical school at the Medical College of Virginia, where he was elected president of the student body.
A well-regarded physician, Dr. O’Bannon is a partner in Neurological Associates, a leading Richmond medical practice. He has served as chief of staff of Henrico Doctors’ Hospital and is currently a member of the hospital’s board of trustees and Ethics Committee.
He is a leader in the American Medical Association, where he served as a member of the Council for Ethical and Judicial Affairs. Dr. O’Bannon is a past president of the Richmond Academy of Medicine. He is also a past chairman of the MSV’s Legislative Committee. During his tenure as chairman, he helped pass the Virginia Patients Bill of Rights.
Dr. O’Bannon has served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 2001. During his time in the General Assembly, he has worked tirelessly on behalf of the medical community. He is a member of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee, where he serves as chairman of its Health Subcommittee. With this committee assignment, Dr. O’Bannon is able to lend his expertise as a health care professional as the panel considers complex proposals that could have a significant impact on the practice of medicine. In addition, he is a member of the Appropriations Committee, serving on the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee. As a member of this subcommittee, he keeps a careful eye on issues that are critical to the physician community, like Medicaid reimbursement.
The most recent example of Dr. O’Bannon’s leadership in the General Assembly came earlier this year as he mediated a compromise among MSV, the hospitals and health plans which resulted in legislation that will ensure that health care consumers have a better understanding about the true cost and reimbursement to physicians and other health care professionals. “In short, John is a symbol of what all physicians should strive to be—a devoted patient advocate and community leader. And he also just happens to be the only physician in Virginia House of Delegates,” said Eppes.