NEWS RELEASE – TO LOCAL NEWS DESK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Contact: Ginnie Flynn    630/435-0356, ext. 118
June 18, 2005                                                                          

THREE FAMILY PHYSICIANS AND ONE STATE REPRESENTATIVE HONORED WITH ILLINOIS ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS “PRESIDENT’S AWARD”

LISLE, Illinois – The outstanding Illinois family physicians were honored by the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians during the 2005 IAFP All-Member Assembly, held June 18 in Rosemont. 

Each year, the outgoing IAFP president may present a “President’s Award” to recognize an individual or organization for outstanding achievements or service which helps to advance the IAFP mission and/or the specialty of family medicine.  This year IAFP President Dr. Ellen S. Brull chose to honor four individuals.

The 2005 IAFP President’s Award honorees are:

  • Benjamin Brewer, M.D. of Forrest , Ill.

  • Edward A. Hirsch, M.D. formerly of Sycamore, Ill.

  • Steven M. Wilk, M.D. of Bolingbrook , Ill.

  • The Honorable Julie Hamos, Illinois Representative (D–18, Evanston )

 Benjamin Brewer, M.D. is a solo family physician in the rural town of Forrest , where he provides the full scope of family medicine, including delivering babies.  Last fall, Dr. Brewer launched a bi-monthly column in the Wall Street Journal Online called “From the Doctor’s Office.”  The column provides a remarkable personal view of the challenges and rewards that make up a typical day in the life of a busy family physician.

His first column, “A Doctor, a Sick Boy, a Scared Mother and No Insurance” illustrated the terrifying uncertainty of an asthmatic boy with no insurance who must rely on whatever free samples Dr. Brewer can find to keep his attacks under control.   

Other columns have chronicled the increasing obstacles that insurance systems place on physicians and patients.  He’s talked about pharmaceutical drugs and the effects that cost containment measures actually have in real life and how his relationships with patients and his instincts as a family doc have avoided potential errors.   

When you think about all the issues we family physicians talk about with each other, Dr. Ben Brewer has found a way to turn those issues into stories that anyone can relate to,” said Dr. Brull.   “Just like most of us, Dr. Brewer has a story for every situation.  Only he has an amazing ability to put those stories into words. “  

Edward A. Hirsch, M.D.  is a past president of the IAFP who has served on the board of directors since 1989.  For the past six years, Dr. Hirsch represented the Illinois Chapter as the Delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).   

He’s been the IAFP’s greatest spokesperson for the full scope of family medicine.  “He’s been our strongest advocate speaking to medical students about the joys and opportunities of family medicine,” says Brull.   “He is always willing to share that passion for family medicine with medical students, whether on a panel or simply in casual conversation in the hallway.” 

 His tenacious effort to protect family physicians’ hospital privileges has become a cornerstone of IAFP and AAFP’s member services.  He’s provided the roadmap that many other family physicians have used to gain or protect treasured privileges in the hospital.    

Even in his final months of practice in DeKalb County , Dr. Hirsch made a difference.  After making the difficult decision to leave his practice – he put the professional liability problem into words, and shared it with his local media and lawmakers.   

His actions drove the issue to the forefront of the local medical community and the public.  He put a face on the malpractice insurance crisis.  His patients spoke up, his state representative spoke up.  And though Dr. Ed Hirsch is not longer practicing in Sycamore anymore, an effective liability reform bill is now on the Governor’s desk.  

Steven M. Wilk, M.D. is a family physician at Bolingbrook Family Medicine and a faculty member of the Hinsdale Family Medicine Residency Program.  He is also a past president of IAFP and the immediate past chair of the IAFP Foundation.   

Dr. Wilk has served Academy and the Foundation in so many ways for more than two decades, beginning as a delegate to IAFP’s Congress in 1983.  Over the years he’s served on countless committees and task forces for IAFP.  Wilk has represented the Illinois chapter as an Alternate Delegate to AAFP since 1999.  

“I feel like I grew up following his lead, relying on his experience and guidance,” said Brull.  “I have learned so much from watching him in IAFP’s government relations.  Whether in Springfield or on Capitol Hill in Washington , D.C. , he has been that constant presence - representing family medicine at every opportunity.”  

Wilk continues to serve on both as the IAFP’s Delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians and continues as a member of the IAFP Foundation Board of Directors.  

Although she could not attend the IAFP Annual Meeting, Illinois Rep. Julie Hamos will be honored with Dr. Brull’s fourth President Award.  Rep. Hamos worked with Dr. Brull to introduce HB 2345.  The legislation establishes the Electronic Health Records Taskforce to create a plan for the development and utilization of electronic health records (EHR) in the State in order to improve the quality of patient care, increase the efficiency of health care practice, improve safety, and reduce health care errors.  The bill passed both houses and awaits Gov. Blagojevich’s signature.  

 “Rep. Hamos and has been a wonderful ally in supporting good health care policy.  After we put the bill together, she was very active in working to gather support in both houses and ensure the bill passed,” said Brull.  The bill passed both chambers unanimously. 

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