MMA Hands Out its Annual Awards

September 21, 2023

Five physicians, three physicians-in-training, the former head of the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, and Hennepin Healthcare were all honored with MMA awards as part of this year’s Empowering Physicians Conference. Each year, the MMA honors those in medicine for going above and beyond.  

Distinguished Service Award 

George Schoephoerster, MD, of St. Cloud, received the MMA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, for his years of service to the association and to medicine. Schoephoerster, a retired geriatrician, has been a member of the MMA since 1986. He is a former president of the association and has served on the board of MEDPAC, its political action committee. He is currently the president of the MMA’s Foundation. He has sat on numerous committees that dealt with a variety of subject matters: public health, membership and communications, nominating, awards, finance and audit, and ethics. He was chair of the former Medical Practice & Planning Committee and the Prescription Drug Prior Authorization Committee. 

President’s Award 

Patrick Bigaouette, MD, Larry Hook, MD, and the estate of Charles Crutchfield, III, MD, received the MMA’s President’s Award, which recognizes those who have given much of their free time to help improve the association.  

Bigaouette, a practicing psychiatrist based in Mankato, has been described as having a unique ability to connect with people from all backgrounds, which enables him to provide culturally sensitive and personalized care. He is a champion of physician wellbeing and quite active in the Mankato community raising awareness of mental health issues and championing inclusion efforts.  He is highly regarded by his peers, patients, and the wider healthcare community for his leadership skills. He has served as a mentor to numerous residents, trainees, PA, pharmacy, and NP students. His commitment to education and research is evident in his publications, presentations at national conferences, and participation in clinical trials with a Rochester group aimed at advancing psychiatric treatments and interventions.    

Hook is the medical director of hospital-based psychiatric services at St. Cloud Hospital. In 2021, his advocacy and passion led to the opening of CentraCare’s EmPATH psychiatric stabilization unit. Its opening has been a significant benefit to the people of central Minnesota and exists as a testament to Doctor Hook’s vision and determination to see it to completion. He has supported his colleagues in expanding programs within the hospital to address the crises of addiction and psychiatric disorders. Because of his work, CentraCare has been able to start additional consultation services for women’s mental health and for addressing substance use disorders in a more comprehensive fashion for its patients. He is described as doing his work with grace, wisdom and humor.   

Crutchfield, who passed away this June after a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, has been called a pioneer in his field. Throughout his career, he was a leader in the field of dermatology. He was one of the first medical professionals to tailor skin treatments for people of color. He was a respected researcher and educator, always at the forefront of new developments. He served as the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Wild, and Minnesota Vikings. Plus, he was active with the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians. 

Medical Student Leadership Award 

Sally Jeon and Nick Hable, MPH, received the Medical Student Leadership Award, which recognizes physicians-in-training who demonstrate exemplary leadership in service to medical students, the profession of medicine and the broader community. Both attend the University of Minnesota Medical School.  

Resident and Fellow Leadership Award 

Rebecca Yao, MD, MPH, received the Resident and Fellow Leadership awards which recognizes physicians-in-training who demonstrate exemplary leadership in service to residents and fellows, the profession of medicine and the broader community. Yao is an internal medicine resident based in Rochester.  

COPIC/MMA Foundation Humanitarian Award 

Janet Chestnut, MD, of Lake City, received the COPIC/MMA Foundation Humanitarian Award which recognizes MMA members who go above and beyond to address the health care needs of underserved populations in Minnesota. Chestnut is a retired family physician who volunteers much of her time to the C.A.R.E. Clinic in Red Wing. 

James H. Sova Memorial Award for Advocacy   

Former head of the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (BMP) Ruth Martinez, MA, of St. Paul, received the James H. Sova Memorial Award for Advocacy. Sova was the chief lobbyist for the MMA from 1968 until the time of his death in December 1981. This award is given to a person who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of public policy, medical sciences, medical education, medical care or the socioeconomics of medical practice.  During Martinez’s tenure, the BMP collaborated with the MMA and others on several important initiatives, including implementing the Health Professionals Services Program, establishing telemedicine registration, modifying physician licensure application questions related to mental health, and becoming a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.   

Eric C. Dick Memorial Health Policy Partner Award 

This award is given to an individual, group of individuals, a project or an organization that demonstrates their commitment to pursuing sound public policy, building coalitions, creating and/or strengthening partnerships with the goal of improving the health of Minnesotans or the practice of medicine in Minnesota. Dick was the MMA's manager of state legislative affairs from 2010 until his untimely death in January 2021. This year’s recipient is Hennepin Healthcare, which partnered with the MMA to ensure that Minnesotans experiencing homelessness receive needed short-term care in their recovery following hospitalization.  

Watch the award-winners' acceptance speeches here.