CHICAGO PHYSICIANS, CHICAGO HOSPITAL
RECEIVE AWARDS FOR PEDIATRIC CARE
CHICAGO, Ill. – Representatives from the Illinois Department of Public Health today presented three Ron W. Lee, M.D. Excellence in Pediatric Awards to a Chicago hospital and two physicians at Shriners Hospital for Children.
The Ron W. Lee, M.D. Excellence in Pediatric Care Awards are given annually by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program to recognize those dedicated to pediatric emergency care and childhood injury prevention initiatives. Individuals can be nominated in one of three-award categories-Lifetime Achievement, Clinical Excellence and Community Service.
The following are this year’s award recipients in Chicago:
Lifetime Achievement – Dr. Edward Millar, M.D. – Shriners Hospital for Children
Clinical Excellence – Dr. Lawrence Vogel, M.D. – Shriners Hospital for Children
Community Service – The Shrine Fraternity – Shriners Hospital for Children
“It is my honor to recognize these doctors and the Shrine Fraternity for their dedication to the highest quality of pediatric care and their solid commitment to research and improving the quality of life for children and their families,” said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director.
- Edward A. Millar, M.D. chief of staff emeritus, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago. At 85 years of age, Dr. Millar continues his service to children at Shriners and reminds his fellow physicians of their responsibilties to children in need. He has dedicated his life to Shriners, beginning as a resident physician, then an orthopedic specialist, and finally as chief of staff of the hospital. He advocated for the development of many of the practice areas in which Shriners is now noted as a leader including, - hip dysplasia, osteogenesis imperfecta, and cleft lip and palate. Over the years, he has championed and conducted significant research initiatives, written numerous publications and taught many medical students and residents. Dr. Millar is a nationally recognized expert on osteogenesis imperfecta and general pediatric orthopedics. Dr. Millar has been instrumental in changing the way in which the entire Shrine system cares for children.
- Lawrence Vogel, M.D. chief of pediatrics and medical director, Spinal Cord Injury Program, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago. Dr. Vogel has been the chief of pediatrics at Shriners since 1981 and the medical director of the Spinal Cord Injury Program since its inception in 1983. Dr. Vogel has become well recognized as an expert and strong advocate in the provision of developmentally appropriate care to children and adolescents with spinal cord injuries. He trains residents in Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Pediatrics. Dr. Vogel currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Paraplegia Society and the American Spinal Injury Association, as well as a number of local and state professional organizational boards and committees. Dr. Vogel has led research initiatives studying the long-term outcomes of adults who sustained spinal cord injuries as children or adolescents, in order to improve rehabilitation for future children and adolescents with these types of injuries.
- The Shrine Fraternity, Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Shrine Fraternity has built and now operates 22 hospitals across North America with all of the funds being donated or raised by the fraternity. The fraternity is made up of volunteers who raise funds for the hospital and assist in other countless ways. The Shrine Fraternity volunteers provide transportation for patients and their families to the hospital, usually in vans and buses purchased and adapted specifically for this use. They also serve as volunteers in the hospitals providing a variety of services. All Shriners Hospitals provide free medical care for patients under 18. Treatment measures serve all areas of orthopedic surgery, plastic and reconstructive facial surgery, spinal cord injury rehabilitation and burns. Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago has treated nearly 57,000 patients.
“ We could not do the important work we do for children if it were not for our donors,” said Dr. Shana G. Jones, hospital administrator. “Their support has allowed families to get the specialized care they need for many children who could otherwise not afford appropriate treatment. We are extremely proud of our staff and the fraternity in being recognized with these awards."
Later today, another Lifetime Achievement Award will be given out in Peoria to Dr. Rick
Miller, M.D., OSF, Saint Francis Medical Center. The Ron W. Lee, M.D. award is presented each May as part of Emergency Medical Services Week observances. Dr. Lee was the director of emergency medicine at Loyola University Medical Center and was instrumental in establishing and fostering the EMSC program in Illinois. He passed away in 1998.
The Illinois EMSC program is a collaborative effort of the Illinois Department of Public
Health and Loyola University Medical Center of Chicago. It was established in 1994 to ensure that the emergency medical care needs of children are adequately addressed.
