"World of Difference" Award to be presented October 18, 2009
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- Mission Doctors Association will recognize the work of Michael A. Fitzgerald, M.D. of Liverpool, NY, as the Catholic Doctor of the 2009, with the "World of Difference Award," to be presented October 18, 2009 at the Los Angeles Archdiocese White Mass at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena, CA.
Having sent out more than 1000 nominations nationally, the assignment of choosing one deserving physician among the many was a daunting task. These deserving doctors with diverse experience and involvement made it difficult to choose only one to recognize. Candidates included those working with the homeless in the United States, indigent populations, as well as doctors who have served as medical missionaries in countries around the globe.
Dr. Fitzgerald is being recognized for his commitment to his own community which takes the form of volunteering with the Poverello Clinic, a free clinic for the uninsured. His service has taken him to the Sacre Coeur Hospital in Milot, Haiti, as well as hosting Haitian physicians who come to the US for specialized training. Dr. Fitzgerald also serves annually as a volunteer physician accompanying and ministering to the sick and disabled who make the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, in southern France. Mission Doctors Association will recognize his efforts and note that he has indeed made a "World of Difference."
Nominated by Kathryn Ruscitto, the Senior Vice President of St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, Ms. Ruscitto wrote when told of his selection, "In this fast paced world few of us can take daily time to be devoted to our faith and to live it out in our professional actions. Dr. Michael Fitzgerald does both. He is a role model to many about responsibility to give back to our communities and the world!"
Dr. Fitzgerald, a Knight of Malta, is a graduate of New York Medical College, and completed his Residency at the Mayo Clinic in Internal Medicine / Gastroenterology and is a member of the American Medical Association, American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Dr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald are parents of five and parishioners of St. Mary's on the Lake in Skaneateles, New York.
Insisting that there were many others more deserving of this honor Dr. Fitzgerald humbly shared that in his patients he recognizes the face of Christ. Mission Doctors Association, which was founded in 1959 to support the work of Catholic Doctors and their families serving in mission hospitals and clinics, welcomes the opportunity to recognize this outstanding physician.
This is the only National Catholic Doctor Award, and one that Mission Doctors Association is proud to present. Catholic Doctors are called to action on behalf of our brothers and sisters around the world. This award is given in recognition of the efforts of a doctor who has responded to Christ's call to "Heal the Sick," as a member of our Catholic faith community and in doing so has made a "World of Difference."
For information on the White Mass visit the web site: www.StLukeMassLA.org For Information on the work of Mission Doctors please contact Executive Director, Elise Frederick 3435 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1940., Los Angeles, CA 90010, e- mail: info@missiondoctors.org / (213) 368-1872 / (213) 368-1871 Visit the web site www.MissionDoctors.org for more information.
