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Last year, Christian Arbelaez, MD, MPH, of Emergency Medicine, received the Dennis Thomson Leadership Award in recognition of his work in improving patient care and, in particular, minority access to care. With the award, Arbelaez received funding to attend a leadership program of his choice. He shared with BWH Bulletin his thoughts on the award.
Bulletin: What does the Thomson Leadership Award mean to you?
Arbelaez: The Dennis Thomson Leadership Award has significant meaning to me. It serves as a daily reminder of the compassionate mission we have to our patients and their loved ones through our clinical service and research and to our students, residents and fellows through our teaching. Over the last year, the award has provided me with the opportunity to develop my leadership skills to make a positive impact in our communities. Every time I walk through the front doors of Brigham and Women’s, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to be a physician, how honored I am to care for all who come to our Emergency Department and how humbled I am by the amazing people I work with.
Bulletin: Did you attend a leadership program this past year?
Arbelaez: I completed the American College of Emergency Physicians Teaching Fellowship, and I am participating in the BWH/Center for Faculty Development and Diversity Physician Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.
Bulletin: Did you take on any new leadership roles or opportunities recently?
Arbelaez: I continue serving as the assistant residency director for the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency Program and as the associate director for the Office for Multicultural Faculty Careers at BWH. I was awarded the James Adams Faculty Leadership Award and the Best Teacher Award in my department. At Harvard Medical School, I received the Under-Represented Minority Medical Student Mentorship Award and was promoted to assistant professor.
Nominations are due next week for two recognition awards originating from the remembrance and impression of one of BWH’s most treasured leaders, the late Dennis Thomson, who was widely known as the conscience of BWH.
To nominate a colleague for the Thomson Leadership Award or Compassionate Care Scholar Awards, visit www.bwhpikenotes.org/AwardsRecognition/thomson.asp The recipients will be honored March 26, at 4 p.m., in the Bornstein Amphitheater. John Auerbach, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health, is this year’s guest speaker.