MMA Honors Physicians, Physicians-in-training, Advocates with Annual Awards

October 2, 2025

Two physicians, four physicians-in-training, the late House of Representatives Speaker Emerita, and the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) were all honored with MMA awards as part of this year’s Empowering Physicians event on September 26 in Minneapolis. Each year, the MMA honors those in medicine for going above and beyond.  

Distinguished Service Award 

Keith Stelter, MD, a family physician in Mankato and past MMA president, received the MMA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, for his years of service to the association and to medicine.   

President’s Award 

Former MMA Director of Advocacy and Chief Lobbyist Dave Renner, CAE, received the MMA’s President’s Award, which recognizes those who have given much of their free time to help improve the association.  

Medical Student Leadership Award 

Adrina Kocharian, PhD, Kathryn Xu and Grant Welk 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.  

Resident and Fellow Leadership Award 

Saam Dilmaghani, MD, received the Resident and Fellow Leadership Award, which recognizes physicians-in-training who demonstrate exemplary leadership in service to residents and fellow, the profession of medicine and the broader community.  

Copic/MMA Foundation Humanitarian Award 

David Tilstra, MD, 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.  

James H. Sova Memorial Award for Advocacy   

The late House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, received the James H. Sova Memorial Award for Advocacy posthumously. 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.  

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 the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).