Honor A Doctors’ Day

HONOR A DOCTORS’ DAY, IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL DOCTORS’ DAY, ENCOURAGES PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL GIFTS FOR THE CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION

By Judi Wills, CMS Foundation Development Director

In late February and during the entire month of March, Honor A Doctors' Day tribute gifts were received in recognition of National Doctors' Day. The gifts encouraged recipients and provided additional support for the Capital Medical Society Foundation. Grateful patients, colleagues, family members, and friends participated generously with support for the CMSF's programs and initiatives, including the Area of Greatest Need, the Physician Wellness Program, Scholarship Fund, and the We Care Network program.

With the current COVID-19 pandemic and these challenging times, the CMSF is especially appreciative of all donors who gave to celebrate Honor A Doctors' Day. Patients, families, and colleagues are proud to support these Superheroes, who are on the front line every day, exposing their own vulnerability as they fight to care for everyone who needs access to healthcare. It is a pleasure to share a few of the many personal words of gratitude that will describe the positive impact these physicians and dentists have in the practice of medicine and dentistry. We were given permission to share some of the tributes below.

Jill Bauer shared these encouraging words about her son, Jesse Blake Bauer, M.D., who is currently completing his residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina and will begin his full-time medical career as an ER doctor at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare in a few months: "It is such a gift to know that Blake is doing what he loves, taking care of others and making sure that each and every person in his care is provided top notch quality medical care and treated with respect and professionalism."

Dr. Walt Colón honored his colleagues: • Dr. E. Lynn McLarty: "Congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for your service to Tallahassee!" Jay W. Millson, MBA, Executive Vice President, shared the following inspiring comments from The Florida Academy of Family Physicians, about why they chose to honor Dr. Christie Alexander: "The Florida Academy of Family Physicians (FAFP) is proud to honor FAFP President Dr. Christie Alexander for the passion and dedication she exemplifies not only to the medical students at the FSU College of Medicine but to her beloved profession of family medicine. Simply stated, she embodies the FAFP's mission statement of Supporting Florida's Family Physicians!"

Dr. Charles Williams honored his colleague, Dr. Armand Cognetta with these kind words: "Dr. Cognetta has forged a truly awesome and inspiring career. He is a person of the highest integrity and dedication. He is a wonderful asset to this medical community."

Rosalie Carlin honored Dr. Tracey Hellgren with the following comment: "Dr. Hellgren has been my primary care physician for 30 years. Her thoroughness, kindness, and compassion are beyond compare!"

Thank you for the gifts and encouraging words to celebrate "Honor A Doctors’ Day" – National Doctors' Day. Please continue to celebrate the hard work of all doctors every day during this challenging time. Make a gift today, to support the CMS Foundation. Visit: https://capmed.org/donate/ or mail your gift check, payable to the CMS Foundation, 1204 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

HAPPY NATIONAL DOCTORS’ DAY

Dr. Stanley E. Sheppard: "Congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for your service to Tallahassee!"

Dr. Frank Swerdzewski: "Thank you for all you do for so many."