Activities & Accoades

Perspective Perspective Activites & Accolades

Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation Virtual Gala held Oct. 7

Live-streamed event honored Freddie H. Fu, MD, and featured Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers in initiative to support children with asthma in the Mon Valley The Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation (ACMSF) hosted a “Virtual Gala” for members and friends at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 7, 2021, in order to honor excellence in individual physicians and community groups, raise funds to expand and improve pediatric asthma treatment in the Mon Valley, and celebrate the dedication and resilience of the region’s physicians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The live-streamed event included a remembrance for Freddie H. Fu, MD, Pittsburgh’s world-renowned sports medicine and orthopedic surgery pioneer, who died on September 24, 2021. ACMS mourns the loss of Dr. Fu, who was a longtime ACMS member. The Gala program included a video of Dr. Fu’s acceptance speech as he received the prestigious 2021 John G. Krah Executive Leadership Award.

The Gala presented speakers who shared personal stories. First among them was Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose philanthropic and humanitarian endeavors are as renowned as his exploits at Heinz Field. A native Pittsburgher, Heyward suffered throughout his childhood with asthma, enduring multiple hospitalizations. Deborah Gentile, MD, a pediatric allergist and asthma specialist, also

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2020 Award Recipients

Mr. DeRubeis Dr. Weiss Dr. Butcher Dr. Weinkle

Dr. Vujevich Dr. Cooke Brother’s Brother Foundation

Dr. Fu 2021 Award Recipients

Dr. Starz Dr. Rozel Dr. Wisneski

Dr. Perez-Ruiz Dr. Humphrey Women for a Healthy Environment

Perspective Perspective Activites & Accolades

From page 295 –––––––––––––––––––appeared on video describing the severe impact of asthma on children and families. Dr. Gentile described the challenges and unmet needs that are faced by hundreds of families in the Mon Valley region of Allegheny County.

Since its inception in 1960, ACMSF has granted more than $3 million to a variety of programs focused on creating a healthier region. This year’s Gala was a fundraiser for the establishment of Community Partners in Asthma Care, an expanded and improved asthma treatment center for the Mon Valley where childhood asthma is pervasive. The region experiences triple the rate of child asthma as compared to the national average reported by the Centers for Disease Control. These clinics will transform access to specialty asthma care, which is an essential aspect of bringing the condition under control and enabling children to live healthier, happier lives.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to physicians, individuals, and community organizations that have excelled in their efforts to improve the health and environment of Allegheny County residents. Award recipients from 2020 were honored along with this year’s awardees, as last year’s Gala was cancelled due to pandemic restrictions. 2020 award recipients are: Mark DeRubeis, MBA, John G. Krah Executive Leadership Award; Kurt R. Weiss, MD, Richard E. Deitrick Humanity in Medicine Award; Brad W. Butcher, MD, Ralph C. Wilde Leadership Award; Jonathan Weinkle, MD, Nathaniel Bedford Primary Care Award; Justin J. Vujevich, MD, Physician Volunteer Award; Maren L. Cooke, PhD, Benjamin Rush Individual Award; and Brother’s Brother Foundation, Benjamin Rush Community Organization Award.

The 2021 award recipients were: Freddie H. Fu, MD, John G. Krah Executive Leadership Award; Terence W. Starz, MD, Richard E. Deitrick Humanity in Medicine Award; John S. Rozel, MD, Ralph C. Wilde Leadership Award; John. T. Wisneski, Jr., MD, Nathaniel Bedford Primary Care Award; Carlos M. Perez-Ruiz, MD, Physician Volunteer Award; Victoria S. Humphrey, Benjamin Rush Individual Award; and Women for a Healthy Environment, Benjamin Rush Community Organization Award. ACMSF also paid tribute to a group of distinguished physicians who have practiced medicine for 50 years, and to those outstanding Allegheny County physicians who have received the Pennsylvania Medical Society Top Physicians Under 40 award.

ACMS president Patricia Bononi, MD, hosted the Virtual Gala, along with Gala chair Mark A. Goodman, MD, and President-elect Peter Ellis, MD. Necessitated by the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACMSF Virtual Gala is a creative response that reflects the very same ingenuity and dedication that has characterized the healthcare community as they have coped and strategized throughout this unprecedented time.

Donations are being accepted until October 31 to support pediatric asthma treatment in the Mon Valley. To donate, visit www.acms.org or text ACMS to 50155. In case you missed the Gala, visit https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=vGkblKqtEug.

ACMS member receives Gold Medallion honor

Radiologist

Thomas S. Chang,

MD, FACR, has been selected to receive the Pennsylvania Dr. Chang Radiological Society’s highest honor, The Gold Medallion. Dr. Chang has made contributions to the PRS at virtually every level and he continues that work today.

For nine years, Dr. Thomas Chang specialized in women's imaging at Magee-Women’s Hospital (part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), briefly serving as Interim Medical Director. He was honored as “Teacher of the Year.” Since 2000, he has been with Weinstein Imaging Associates, an independent, multi-office practice in Pittsburgh, dedicated to breast imaging, ultrasound, and bone densitometry. He has been included on Pittsburgh Magazine’s list of “Pittsburgh’s Best Doctors” numerous times.

Dr. Chang is a manuscript reviewer for the American Journal of Roent gen ology and Ultrasound Quarterly, and was a film reviewer for the Mammography Accreditation Program of the ACR for 19 years. He has served as president of the Pittsburgh Roentgen Society and the Mammographers’ Society of Pittsburgh.

Within the Pennsylvania Radiological Society, his positions have included President, chair of the Bylaws and Technology Committees, Editor, and Councilor. He spearheaded the development of the Society's first website and oversaw the transition from paper to digital versions of the Bulletin.

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