MADISON — Urban, rural, and everything in between: the numerous outreach and community service projects and programs undertaken by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) have earned the school the Spencer Foreman Award for Outstanding Community Service. The national award is one of the highest honors among medical schools.
The award was presented to Dr. Robert Golden, dean of the SMPH, by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) at its annual meeting in Philadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 2.
“We are absolutely thrilled and extremely proud to receive this national recognition, but more than that, we are really grateful to all of our partners across the state who’ve made this possible,” said Dean Golden. “It’s wonderful to receive confirmation that our radical vision of becoming the first-ever school of medicine and public health has pushed forward the Wisconsin Idea in new and dramatic ways. While this award acknowledges what we’ve done to date, there are still important unmet needs, so we are now recommitting to our vision of elevating the health of all the people and communities in our state.”
According to the AAMC, the annual award honors a member institution for its major, long-standing organizational commitments to addressing community needs that are not being met through traditional health delivery systems.
“AAMC is proud to continue the legacy of Dr. Spike Foreman by recognizing medical schools and teaching hospitals that are elevating the health of local and global communities,” said AAMC President and CEO Dr. Darrell Kirch. “We congratulate the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health for their transformative community partnerships and programs, which have enhanced the health of people in Wisconsin and beyond.”
