St. Joseph Mercy Physician and Leader Honored by Peers 07/24/2009 Port Huron, MI…For engaging and challenging the “community of physicians” through a commitment to leadership, volunteerism, professional education, advocacy and pride in the practice of medicine – locally and statewide – St. Joseph Mercy is pleased to announce that Homeira McDonald, MD, was named the 2009 John Coury Leadership Award recipient by the St. Clair County Medical Society.
The John Coury Leadership Award was presented in late May at the St. Clair County Medical Society’s annual dinner, held at St. Clair Golf Club.
The award, which is only presented periodically, was established in 2003 and named for the original recipient, John J. Coury, Jr., MD. The award is presented to a current member (active, life and/or retired) for outstanding contributions to the medical society and the community.
“We were very honored to present this award to Dr. McDonald this year,” comments Krishna Valjee, MD, President of the St. Clair County Medical Society. “Dr. McDonald’s commitment in the areas of support to the medical society as well as her leadership status in the medical community makes her a perfect fit for this award.
“Dr. McDonald was the first physician to sit on the Board of Trustees at St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron – and for that matter – any hospital in St. Clair County,” continues Dr. Valjee. “She served as President of the Medical Society, Chief of Staff at St. Joseph Mercy, and served as District Director for the Michigan State Medical Society. She currently serves as Medical Director for Women’s Life Insurance Society.
“Her leadership status in her field of practice has also distinguished her,” Dr. Valjee continues. “As a pathologist and in her work in the cancer field, Dr. McDonald has shown unrelenting commitment to the elevation of cancer care services in the community, specifically her commitment to the Mercy Regional Cancer Center.
“She has held many leadership positions within the Mercy Cancer Committee and is truly considered one of the most highly regarded pathologists in the state of Michigan,” concludes Dr. Valjee.
Nominated by her peers and chosen by members of the St. Clair County Medical Society Executive Committee, to be eligible for the award the nominee should have made an outstanding contribution to the society by significantly helping to achieve one or more of the society’s purposes and objectives. The nominee should serve as a role model for members, and his/her personal leadership attributes should include: leadership, inspiration, innovation, diplomacy, advocacy, consensus building and decision making.
“On behalf of the St. Joseph Mercy Medical Staff and the Board of Trustees, I want to congratulate Dr. McDonald for this important and outstanding accomplishment,” comments Peter Karadajoff, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron. “We are extremely honored to count Dr. McDonald as one of our most determined supporters and valued physicians.
“Dr. McDonald not only serves the overall community through her commitment to quality medical care, but is an outstanding leader at St. Joseph Mercy,” Karadjoff says. “She is the President of the St. Joseph Mercy Foundation and an extremely important leader on the Mercy Cancer Committee, including the newly formed Breast Cancer Advisory Committee. She truly provides inspiration, innovative thinking and is a role model to us all.”
To find a St. Joseph Mercy Hospital physician near you, visit SJMPH online at: mymercy.us; or call toll-free 1-888-MERCYME.
St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron. A member of the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.
