Pictured left to right are Bart Walker, senior vice president of operations; Dr. Jonathan Evans, corporate medical director; Dr. John Patsimas, medical director at Life Care Center of Tullahoma, Tn., and winner of the Heritage Award; Beecher Hunter, Life Care president; and Dr. Kenneth Scott, chief medical officer.
Life Care Centers of America recently bestowed its annual physicians’ awards.
The majority of the awards were given during a Life Care ceremony held at the American Medical Directors Association Annual Conference in Louisville, Ky. in March. Several other winners received their presentations at the centers where they serve, from March through July 1.
Dr. John Patsimas, who has been the medical director at Life Care Center of Tullahoma, Tn. for more than 22 years, was the recipient of the second annual Heritage Award.
The honor recognizes contributions to the advancement of the art of healing, career achievement and service as an example of dedication to patients.
Dr. Patsimas was praised for his loyalty to the facility’s patients, his positive attitude and his contributions as a leader to the community. Along with mentoring many up-and-coming medical professionals, he is involved in medical research. Most notable is a study done in conjunction with Vanderbilt University Medical Center on chronic bronchitis for which he served as the lead investigator to produce treatment protocols. The published study has been translated into more than 15 languages.
Dr. Keith Thompson, who has served residents at Life Care Center of Greeley, Co. as an on-site physician since September 2012, was named Company-wide Physician of the Year.
Dr. Thompson was lauded for his personal touch, both in the community and in the facility. He makes rounds in the building every morning and makes a particular impact on raising the clinical bar. He has taught the clinical team what he as a doctor looks and listens for during patient assessments, which in turn has increased the level of knowledge when the nursing staff performs assessments.
Life Care Centers of America also honored seven division award winners:
• Dr. Bruce Hodges – on-site physician at Garden Terrace at Overland Park, Ks. for the Central Division;
• Dr. Sue Gouge – on-site physician at Life Care Center of East Ridge, Tn. for the Eastern Division;
• Dr. Kristina Stefka – on-site physician and medical director at Life Care Center of Cheyenne, Wy. for the Mountain States Division;
• Dr. Gary Asher – on-site physician at Life Care Center of Acton, Ma. for the Northeast Division;
• Dr. William Elledge – on-site physician at Life Care Center of Puyallup, Wa. for the Northwest Division;
• Dr. Vance Maloney – on-site physician at Life Care Center of Punta Gorda, Fl. for the Southeast Division; and
• Dr. Kenneth Cable – on-site physician at Life Care Center of North Glendale in Glendale, Az. for the Southwest Division.
“Physicians play a pivotal role in the care of our residents,” said Beecher Hunter, Life Care president, “and we are proud to honor those who stand out in their commitment and their compassion to ensure the health and well-being of those entrusted to them.”
Dr. Keith Thompson, on-site physician at Life Care Center of Greeley, Co., who won the Company-wide Physician of the Year Award