May 26, 2006

MGPO dinner salutes physicians

The Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO) hosted its second physician dinner May 20, showcasing the organization's progress and celebrating physicians for their dedication to caring for patients.

Before an audience of 600 physicians and guests, Daniel A. Ginsburg, president and chief operating officer of the MGPO, reviewed the organization's accomplishments during the past 18 months. He noted the its strong financial position, its focus on quality and safety issues, the successful health care reform advocacy effort, and the implementation of a clinical growth plan that was developed during the MGH/MGPO strategic planning process.

"We are here to help make the MGH the place where the best physicians in the world want to come to take care of patients, teach and do research," said Ginsburg. "The challenges in doing this are great, but so are the rewards."

Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH, gave an update on the progress that has been made in developing the next new facility on campus, "The Building for the Third Century." It will include space for clinical practices, inpatient beds and operating rooms. The new facility will enhance patient care and access, use state-of-the-art technology, improve the organization of medical services and help to unify the campus with its central location.

"The commitment of our physicians to providing quality clinical care and their dedication to the MGH, have been key to the hospital's standing as one of the best academic medical centers in the nation and, indeed, the world," said Slavin. "We intend to advance this tradition of providing exceptional care to our patients by expanding our space to accommodate our continued clinical growth."

David F. Torchiana, MD, chairman and CEO of the MGPO, presented the first Trustees Medal, which recognizes an individual who has made a monumental and lasting impact on the institution and the physician community. The medal was presented to Roman DeSanctis, MD, of MGH Cardiology, for his 51 years of dedication to cardiac patients, to the Cardiology Department and to the hospital as a whole. At right, Torchiana, left, presents DeSanctis with the Trustees Medal.

"I am enormously honored, exceedingly grateful and deeply humbled by this award, but most of all, I am humbled because I can think of many colleagues who are as deserving of this award as I am," said DeSanctis.

The evening concluded with the presentation of the Brian A. McGovern, MD, Award for Clinical Excellence in honor of a beloved physician who tragically died three years ago.

"We didn't want to lose sight of the fact that, for all of the advances in medicine, the technology and the procedures, it is the way we treat our patients, and each other, that ultimately sets the MGH apart," said Torchiana as he presented the award. "I am pleased to present this award to these four deserving physicians who together are a wonderful illustration of MGH clinical excellence and the enduring spirit of Brian McGovern."

From the 190 nominations for 111 different clinicians that were received, four physicians were selected for the honor: Nesli Basgoz, MD, of the MGH Infectious Disease Division; Norbert Liebsch, MD, of MGH Radiation Oncology; Laura Riley, MD, of MGH Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology Service; and Charlie Boucher, MD, of MGH Cardiology.