Physician of the Year

The PRO-LC Physician of the Year Award, the highest honor given by our organization, is awarded annually to a physician (or practice) in recognition of "outstanding advocacy which supports, promotes, and protects breastfeeding." The 2007 award recipient is Delaware Valley Women’s Care in Drexel Hill, PA . (View Press Release).

The recipient is selected by the PRO-LC Board of Directors; nominations are sought from the general PRO-LC membership. Criteria considered, when determining who should receive this distinction, include:

• Is the physician knowledgeable about current breastfeeding management practices?
• Does the physician make appropriate referrals (to IBCLCs or a support group) for lactation issues?
• Is the doctor receptive to information and research provided by IBCLCs?
• Does the physician promote breastfeeding among his/her colleagues (through lectures, grand rounds, or in other ways)?
• Do patients report that their doctor is supportive of their breastfeeding goals?
• Does the office setting (posters, freebies, magazines) promote breastfeeding - and support the WHO Code [regarding ethical marketing of breastmilk substitutes]?

The Physician of the Year addresses PRO-LC at its member meeting in January, when the recipient receives a framed certificate memorializing the award. Recipients are also given lifetime memberships in PRO-LC, one year memberships in ILCA (International Lactation Consultant Association) and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, a copy of the 11th edition of Hale's Medications and Mother's Milk, and a copy of the Philadelphia Breastfeeding Resource Handbook (a.k.a. "The Pink Book").

Recipients of the PRO-LC Physician of the Year include:

1993	Joan Adler, MD
1994	English Willis, MD
1995	John Ickler, MD [deceased 2000]
1996	Penny Soppas, MD [received IBCLC certification 2002]
1997	Kids First, Coatesville [award given to entire practice] Bruce Tilton, MD Joan Magee, MD
1998	Society Hill Pediatrics, P.C.[award given to entire practice] Janet Crino, MD Shea Conley, MD Cynthia Hill, MD M. Bidi McSorley MD Elizabeth L. Robbins, MD Beverly Viscusi, CRNP
1999	Brad Dyer, MD (View Press Release)
2000	Juliet Marciano, MD (View Press Release)
2001	Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare [award given to entire practice] Freyda Neyman, MD Kathryn Limmer, MD (View Press Release)
2002	Jeanette Pleasure, MD (View Press Release)
2003	Deborah A. Sandrock, MD (View Press Release)
2004	Vinod K. Bhutani, MD, FAAP
2005/2006	David Banner, MD

If you are a PRO-LC member who knows a physician or practice worthy of the distinguished PRO-LC Physician of the Year Award, nominations are accepted year-round. Please use the following form to submit your nomination to the PRO-LC Board of Directors.

Nomination Form