Dr. Juri McDowell is the 2018 Alton Memorial Hospital Chairman’s Award winner, but AMH also honored several other physicians at the annual Physician’s Appreciation Dinner on Sept. 28:

-- Dr. Gregory Vlacich, medical director of Radiation Oncology, received the Community Service/Humanitarian Award. This award recognizes a physician who provides professional services as an act of kindness and serves as an active volunteer by donating personal time and involvement in supporting charitable agencies and activities.

-- Dr.  Narine Sargsyan, hospitalist, received the Clinical Physician Award. This award recognizes a physician who consistently achieves high standards in the practice of medicine, who finds innovative ways of delivering quality medical care, despite budget and personnel constraints, and is looked upon as a role model by his or her peers.

-- Dr. Kathie Wuellner, a pediatrician with Pediatric Healthcare Unlimited, earned the Patient Service Excellence Award. This award recognizes a physician who shows a greater commitment to patients, consistently exceeds expectations in the care of his or her patients and families and shows a greater commitment in understanding and responsiveness to the physical, emotional and intellectual needs of his or her patients.

-- Dr. Christopher Aldridge of Alton Surgery earned the High Impact Teammate Award. This award recognizes a physician who plays a key role in successful administration or management of an office or program activity, makes exceptional contributions to the accomplishments, goals and objectives of AMH, exercises exceptional judgment in making managerial decisions and developing innovations that provide increased effectiveness in the management of programs, and makes choices that maximize the use of available resources. 

-- Dr. John Felder, plastic surgeon, earned the Emerging Leader Award. This award recognizes a physician who has made significant contributions to the department in which he or she is assigned and is still early in his or her career with AMH, yet has already demonstrated excellence and dedication to AMH.

-- Dana Aronin, CPNP with Pediatric Healthcare Unlimited, earned the Allied Health Professional Clinical Excellence Award. This award recognizes an Allied Health professional who actively contributes to continuous improvement initiatives in his or her practice area, demonstrates an understanding of the unique challenges experienced by the communities in which we serve, demonstrates exceptional service and commitment and promotes working in partnership across all areas of professional practice.

-- Dr. Noor Ahmed, a retired plastic surgeon, earned the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes a physician who has made AMH his or her primary hospital, has made significant contributions to the community and to the growth and development of AMH throughout his or her career. He used his talents and time with unselfish dedication in the pursuit to make AMH the premier place to receive health care.