AMA lays honors on doctors, society leaders

Honolulu -- Throughout his career, Portland, Ore., obstetrician-gynecologist Richard Allen, MD, has made advancing medical education a focus. At its Interim Meeting in November, the American Medical Association recognized his work with its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. The AMA also acknowledged several other physicians and medical society executives.

Dr. Allen, assistant dean for graduate medical education at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, has taught obstetrics and gynecology there since 1969. He served on the AMA Council of Medical Education for nine years, chairing the council in 2000. He was an AMA representative to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for six years and is now an AMA appointee to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Among his other accomplishments, Dr. Allen is believed to be the only physician to serve as president of two state medical societies, the Colorado Medical Society in 2000-01 and the Oregon Medical Assn. in 1988-89.

Encinitas, Calif., pain management specialist Kristin Melissa Bell, MD, received the Dr. William Beaumont Award in Medicine, which was established to recognize and encourage younger physicians' efforts and development. She has practiced at the San Diego VA Medical Center since 2001, where her work has included developing an innovative acupuncture clinic designed to treat veterans with chronic pain.

Also honored: Lihue, Hawaii, public health and preventive medicine physician Dileep Bal, MD, received the AMA Foundation Award for Health Education for his work in educating people about tobacco dangers and research in that area. Essex County (N.J.) Medical Society and New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Executive Director Arthur R. Ellenberger and Endocrine Society Executive Director Scott Hunt received a Medical Executive Meritorious Achievement Award. Kentucky Medical Assn. Executive Vice President William T. Applegate, former Indiana State Medical Assn. Executive Director Richard R. King and Idaho Medical Assn. Chief Executive Officer Robert K. Seehusen each received a Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award. New York City psychiatrist Paul Stuart Appelbaum, MD, received the Isaac Hays, MD, and John Bell, MD, Award for Leadership in Medical Ethics and Professionalism.