News Release: May 16, 2005

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation and Eddie Benge, MD, vice president of medical staff affairs, along with presenting sponsor First National Bank of Santa Fe hosted the Physician Recognition Dinner earlier this month to honor five outstanding physicians.

The Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation established the Rev. Hugh A. Cooper Award, named after Presbyterian Hospital's founder, to recognize physicians from the Presbyterian medical staff who have contributed significantly to the medical profession, to area hospitals and to the community.

This year the Chief of Medical Staff Award for Excellence in Clinical Quality was established and awarded to Dr. Cordelia Sever, medical director of TriCore Lab, for her leadership in and outstanding contributions to clinical quality improvement at Presbyterian.

The 2005 Rev. Hugh A. Cooper Award, for superior healthcare delivery and service to the community was presented to: Dr. Judith Appenzeller, Dr. Vaun T. Floyd, Dr. Fred H. Hanold and Dr. T. Philip Jacob.

The event was held at the Sheraton Old Town Inn and over 350 guests attended the black tie event. Included in the guest list were Presbyterian's president and CEO Jim Hinton, First National Bank of Santa Fe's Albuquerque office president Greg Ellena, and Presbyterian chief operating officer Mark Reifsteck.

The Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation is a New Mexico not-for-profit corporation chartered in 1968 to support and advance the quality healthcare provided by Presbyterian Healthcare Services.