SW Iowa Times

CHI Health St. Francis proudly adds Dr. Karen Higgins to the Physician Lifetime Achievement Award display at the hospital. Dr. Higgins was awarded the prestigious honor more than a year ago at a banquet with her medical staff peers. However, due to disruptions in the supply change, the hospital only recently received her display panel. Dr. Higgins’ photo and biography now join four other physicians in a place of honor in the hospital’s lobby.

The pediatrician’s newly installed plaque reads: ‘Dr. Karen Higgins was a member of the CHI Health St. Francis Medical Staff from 1980 to 2020. During her 40-year pediatric career, Dr. Higgins demonstrated an abiding commitment to excellence in medical care for her patients. She also educated countless students and residents who went on to serve our community. During her tenure, Dr. Higgins held many medical staff leadership roles and was a champion for pediatric patient safety and quality.’

The Physician Lifetime Achievement Award, which is selected by the St. Francis Medical Staff Development Committee, honors a physician for their exemplary qualities, contributions to healthcare in Grand Island and to the community and medical staff. The award winner has invested their life in Grand Island, lived the ideals of professionalism and has had a major impact in healthcare delivery.

"We try to identify a physician who, for a professional lifetime, has been committed to our community. An individual who embodied the full scope of what is the best our profession has to offer and Dr. Higgins immediately came to mind," says Dr. Scott Frankforter, vice president of medical operations.

A physician selected for the St. Francis Physician Lifetime Achievement Award has excelled and demonstrated sustained commitment to many of the following criteria:

• Leadership roles inside and outside of Saint Francis.
• Volunteer and community impact.
• Contribution to their field through academia or research.
• Teaching or mentoring of physicians, medical students or residents.
• Exemplary conduct with peers and hospital staff.
• Ideal professional.
• Keeping abreast of treatments and techniques.
• Contribute to leadership roles within the medical staff.
• Create and develop new programs.
• Practiced as a physician 25 years or longer as an MD and 15 years or greater in Grand Island

Dr. Richard Fruehling, in 2012, was named as the first recipient of the St. Francis Physician Lifetime Achievement Award. Other honorees include: Dr. Stan Nabity, Dr. John Reilly and Dr. Agnes Gomes.

Original source can be found here.