Published: April 29, 2013
LANSING, Mich. - Joseph K. Meunier, D.O., a renowned Gynecological Oncology Specialist, is Sparrow's 2013 Physician of the Year, while Karen Kent-Van Gorder, M.D., was given the Sparrow Physician Leadership award.
They, along with five others inducted into Sparrow's Physician Hall of Fame, were honored during the annual Physician Recognition Dinner on Saturday, April 27, at the Country Club of Lansing. The ceremony is hosted by the Sparrow Women's Board of Managers and sponsored by PNC Bank.
"This is an opportunity for us to give something back to physicians whose dedication and commitment to their Patients is unmatched," said Zoe Slagle, President of the Women's Board of Managers. "Sparrow has some of the best physicians in the world and this community is grateful for all they do."
Dr. Meunier holds the distinction of being the first gynecologist in mid-Michigan to perform surgeries with the daVinci surgical robot. As a leader in the organization, he helped develop the gynecology robotics program at Sparrow in 2006.
Dr. Kent-Van Gorder has exhibited leadership skills from her earliest career and serves as a professional role model who has impacted the entire Sparrow Health System and the greater Lansing area. She helped develop a Peer Review and Credentialing System based on standards of medical performance and professionalism which raise the quality of Patient care.
- Mark Douglas Ensberg, M.D., a Geriatrician at Sparrow's Senior Health Center and known for his dedication and commitment to excellence in geriatrics education in Michigan.
- Williams P Gifford, M.D., has been a leader in preparing students for a career in medicine for decades and served as Sparrow's Director for Medical Education, among other positions.
- James George Herman, M.D., who helped to initiate the first Breast Clinic in Lansing. Since becoming leader of the Sparrow Cancer Center in 1998, he has grown the Center to a top-notch facility in the community.
- Carol R. Rapson, M.D., a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Michigan State University who has influenced generations of medical students, family practice residents, general medicine residents, and hematology/oncology fellows.
- Milton Shaw, M.D., a longtime Lansing internist, is being honored posthumously. He performed an autopsy in 1937 which resulted in the discovery of the Lansing strain of polio virus used in developing Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine.
Congratulations to all of the honorees.