Health Equity

In just over one month, physicians of all specialties will come together with healthcare leaders and District government officials to celebrate the healthcare community at the 2023 Capital Healthcare Honors. The dinner and awards gala will take place on Friday evening, May 5, 2023, at the National Press Club. Register by March 31 to get the early bird discount.

Doctors Peter Lavine and James Taylor will share the stage on May 5 for their contributions to the profession and the community.  

• Dr. Peter Lavine will be receiving the Certificate of Meritorious Service in recognition of distinguished service to the medical profession.
• Dr. James Taylor will be receiving the John Benjamin Nichols Award, Presented by UnitedHealthcare, in recognition of outstanding contributions toward improving the health of the community.

Get to know these physicians better below or learn about the other awardees here. Learn about the dinner and awards gala at www.msdc.org/CHH.

Peter Lavine, MD
Certificate of Meritorious Service
(in recognition of distinguished service to the medical profession)

As a three-time MSDC president and current chair of MSDC’s delegation to the American Medical Association, Dr. Peter Lavine has served the profession of medicine locally and nationally with great distinction. Dr. Lavine has fought for healthcare reform on many fronts, including tort law, practice sustainability, mental health parity, patient access to affordable care, prior authorization burdens, and more. Dr. Lavine has advocated on behalf of tens of thousands of District physicians over the course of more than 30 years, appearing in the media, at the Wilson Building and on Capitol Hill.

MSDC President Susanne Bathgate, MD, called Dr. Lavine “a forceful advocate and steward for the profession of medicine on both the local and national level. Throughout his career he has fought for healthcare reform, health equity and medical education. Whether diagnosing a patient or policy, he contributes deep understanding and compassion to healthcare challenges.”

Dr. Lavine is an Orthopedic Surgeon who has treated countless patients across metropolitan Washington during his successful career. He has championed physician autonomy and crafted practice solutions to protect physicians against industry consolidation. He served the House of Medicine on the AMA Council on Medical Service, working to address socioeconomic challenges confronting the practice of medicine, and mentored medical students to support the future of medicine. His service to the Medical Society includes at least one term in every leadership position at the Medical Society. His breadth of experience and knowledge of policy and practice of medicine led his peers to elect him as chair of MSDC’s AMA Delegation.

James Taylor, MD
John Benjamin Nichols Award, presented by UnitedHealthcare
(in recognition of outstanding contributions toward improving the health of the community)

Dr. James Taylor is being recognized for his leadership of the Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease and his research on sickle cell disease, the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States and one that disproportionately targets African Americans.  Since 2017, Dr. Taylor has directed the Center for Sickle Cell Disease’s groundbreaking approach to sickle cell disease through comprehensive medical care, research, testing, education, counseling, and community outreach. Building on the visionary work of the late Roland B. Scott, MD, who founded the Center in 1972, Dr. Taylor has continued to expand its mission and scope for future generations. This includes a recent partnership with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services to find technology and data solutions to improve the everyday lives of patients with sickle cell disease.

Dr. Taylor is a staunch advocate for ongoing research and clinical care to ensure that patients obtain access to care and continued advances in treatment. MSDC President Susanne Bathgate, MD, said that “Dr. James Taylor is a steward of community health and hope. As the head of Howard University’s Center for Sickle Cell Disease, he marshals academic, research, and clinical expertise to serve patients impacted by sickle cell disease in innovative and forward-thinking ways.”

The 2023 presenter for the John Benjamin Nichols Award, made in recognition of outstanding contributions toward improving the health of the community, is UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone.