This year marks the inaugural debut of the Good Samaritan Physician of
the Year Award. This award, also referred to as “The SAMMIE”
for Samaritan Award for Meritorious Medical Care with Integrity and Excellence,
was designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate exceptional skills
in clinical practice and who uphold the Mission, Vision and Values of
Good Samaritan. This year’s award was given to Dr. Alan Stewart.
Dr. Stewart has been on the medical staff at Good Samaritan for 44 years.
As the Knox County Health Department Medical Officer, he has made an instrumental
impact on the community over the last eight months. He has displayed exceptional
resolve, effort and coordination regarding the tracking, containment and
prevention of COVID 19 in the Knox County community.
I have known Dr. Stewart for about 20 years and he has been an exceptional
example of an evidence-based practice medical physician to all of us in
the medical profession,” said Dr. Scott Stine, Good Samaritan Physician
Network’s Chief Medical Officer. “He is very wise and continuously
goes above the call of duty for his patients.”
In order to be considered for the Physician of the Year Award, candidates
must be an active or associate member of the medical staff for at least
one year and have demonstrated at least one or more of the following qualities:
- Exceeded expectations of his or her practice or profession
- Made a significant difference in the life of a patient, staff member or colleague
- Contributed substantially to the community through community service or support
- Provided high level leadership to Good Samaritan of the Medical Staff
- Fostered the spread of medical knowledge
“When thinking about all of these qualities and reflecting on all
that has happened this year, our committee’s decision for who should
receive the award could not have been any clearer,” said Dr. Molly
Weiss, Good Samaritan’s Chief Medical Officer. “It was an
honor to announce that Dr. Stewart was the first winner of the SAMMIE
Award. We appreciate and commend him on a job well done.”
Dr. Stewart’s efforts to coordinate the county response, communicate
with colleagues and the public have been outstanding during the COVID-19
pandemic. He is dedicated to life-long learning, heavily involved in continuing
education for Good Samaritan medical staff and being a leader with the
Knox County Medical Society.
“I want to thank my peers and the staff for this great honor they
have given to me,” said Dr. Stewart. “I understand, especially
now throughout the pandemic, what the word teamwork means and I wish we
could chop up this award and distribute it to everyone. I came here 44
years ago thinking I would stay here a couple of years and I just can’t
imagine a better place to practice medicine or a better community. It
has provided a wonderful life.”