Oct. 31, 2011
Six physicians were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Medical Education and Service at the 2011 Good Samaritan Hospital Physician Recognition Celebration in September.
“Good Samaritan Hospital has a rich history of physicians dedicated to medical education and to innovations that changed the course of medicine and surgery as we know it,” said David Dornheggen, Chief Operating Officer of TriHealth’s Good Samaritan Hospital. “This award recognizes a few of these pioneers in medicine for their contributions in the past and also for teaching these methods to our residents in medicine and surgery and Obstetrics/Gynecology.”
Horacio S. Falciglia MD was recruited to serve as the first neonatologist at Good Samaritan Hospital in 1976, he introduced new expertise in neonatal care — including mechanical ventilation — resulting in decreased neonatal mortality and complications. His contributions were recently recognized when he was inducted into the ‘Hall of Honor’ at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) by the Cincinnati Pediatric Historical Society. Dr. Falciglia served as Director of Pediatrics and Director of the Mother/Baby Unit at Good Samaritan, and eventually joined the neonatology faculty at CCHMC. He received international recognition for his research on Meconium Aspiration Syndrome, cited in over 100 scientific articles. Dr. Falciglia is most proud of his children, who have followed him into the medical profession.
Thomas W. Panke MD is Director of Pathology Labs for TriHealth, President of Southern Ohio Pathology Consultants, Inc. and has overseen all clinical laboratory services at TriHealth’s Bethesda and Good Samaritan Hospitals since 1995. His numerous “outstanding teacher” awards demonstrate his love of teaching; since his first appointment as a clinical pathology instructor in 1976, Dr. Panke has continued as a clinical educator at a number of esteemed universities and teaches medical residents and technologists. Certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Pathology, Dr. Panke is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and has been an active member of Toastmasters at Good Samaritan Hospital since 1993.
Ranjit K. Rath MD has a cardiovascular practice that has spanned more than a quarter century and began more than a continent away in his native India, and in 2008 was recognized by the American Heart Association with the Stanley Kaplan Visionary Award. Dr. Rath retired from Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons, Inc. that same year after serving on the Good Samaritan Hospital Executive Committee, secretary and vice president of the medical staff, and chairman of the section of cardiovascular surgery. Dr. Rath was active in the community, serving on ChoiceCare’s board, and the quality interventional panel of the State Medical Board.
J. Michael Smith MD is the Director of Robotic Surgery and Director of Research with the Department of Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital. Board-certified as a Thoracic surgeon, Dr. Smith has trialed numerous ground-breaking surgical and pharmaceutical innovations. His research and subsequent publication in the country’s most revered surgical annals has led to presentations at medical symposiums throughout the world. Dr. Smith has pioneered the use of robotic surgery during cardiac procedures, which has many advantages to the patient. Dr. Smith has been an Ironman finisher in several Triathlon competitions, is a Deacon in his church and enjoys spending time with his family.
Richard E. Welling MD has led the Good Samaritan Hospital Department of Surgery for the last 25 years and has dedicated his career to educating residents. Welling has been the recipient of the Surgical Teaching Award — presented annually by the general surgical residents of Good Samaritan Hospital to the staff surgeon who was most instrumental in surgical residency education — from 1974 to 88. He also was awarded the Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in 2008. Currently Vice President of Academic Affairs for TriHealth, Welling is an assistant clinical professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and chair of the Good Samaritan and Bethesda North Hospital Continuing Medical Education Committee. Read Dr. Welling's letter to the editor published in the Cincinnati Business Courier on July 1, 2011.
John Wilson MD is the founding and current Director of Electrophysiology Services, Heart and Vascular Center at Good Samaritan Hospital since 1988. Dr. Wilson obtained special competency in cardiac pacing through the NASPE exam in 1986, and was certified in clinical cardiac electrophysiology in 1994, and by the American College of Cardiology ECG exam in 1996. He has served as director of non-invasive services at Good Samarian Hospital since January 2010, chairman of the section of cardiology since May 2007, and was on the Procter & Gamble Arrhythmia Board. Dr. Wilson’s involvement with clinical investigations has helped ensure that patients at Good Samaritan Hospital have access to the most up-to-date arrhythmia therapies.
Good Samaritan had its first medical resident in 1866 and has continued that commitment to teaching ever since. Each year, physician leaders are recognized for their many years of service. Good Samaritan physicians celebrating service milestones were also recognized at the September ceremony.
For more information, contact Jeff Stewart at 513-569-6734