Community

Spectrum Health Honors Distinguished Physicians

Six physicians were honored for their significant contributions to Spectrum Health at the 16th Annual Distinguished Physician Society Dinner and Awards Ceremony last week.

The annual Distinguished Physician Society Award honors physicians who have made extraordinary contributions to the quality of care provided to patients and families in addition to service to Spectrum Health. The award recognizes retired physicians and active physicians with 20 or more years of service with Spectrum Health.

The Society has recognized 63 physicians for their clinical practice and leadership since 1997. This year’s honored physicians were: Charles D. Bukrey, MD, orthopedics; Jon M. Gans, MD, internal medicine (presented posthumously); Donald M Heggen, MD, obstetrics and gynecology; Willard S. Stawski, MD, general surgery. 

For the first time, two physicians were presented with the Emeritus Lifetime Achievement Award. This annual award is presented to members of the Distinguished Physician Society who have attained national prominence in their specialties and whose medical careers have been an inspiration to others. They were Ralph Blocksma, MD, plastic surgery (presented posthumously); and Ralph E. Mathis, MD, obstetrics and gynecology.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 130 ambulatory and service sites; 975 advanced practice providers and employed physicians including members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart physician groups; and Priority Health, a health plan. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 19,200 employees. The organization provided $204 million in community benefit during its 2012 fiscal year.