2016 Frist Humanitarian Award Physician winner for Coliseum Medical Centers
The Frist Humanitarian Awards, named in honor of Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., are HCA’s longest standing tradition. Since 1972, these awards have recognized individuals who demonstrate a level of commitment and caring that goes beyond everyday acts of kindness, and who inspire us with their compassion, dedication and spirit. The award honors outstanding individuals for their humanitarian and volunteer activities and recognizes employees, volunteers and physicians at HCA facilities who perform their work with concern, in a spirit of love, and with humility and understanding.
This year’s Frist Humanitarian Physician award winner exemplifies the many qualities of a Frist winner. As written by one Coliseum employee, “He is indeed the epitome of the “Hippocratic Oath”…he goes above and beyond daily upholding the ethical standards with all of his patients.” He is described as humble, detail oriented, pleasant and compassionate. The staff state that he has the best bedside manner by far for a physician, especially for a surgeon. He always delivers service with a smile. When asked of the staff on the floor, they described him with these words: knowledgeable, pleasant, approachable, scholarly, considerate, caring, concerned, hospitable, educator and teacher. This physician truly loves what he does and has a passion for his profession. He calls every night before he goes to bed whether he is in town or out of town to get an update on his patients. One employee wrote about this physician, “He is a healer; he is a friend; He is our hero more than he will ever know! We respect and salute such an individual who fulfills to the best of his ability and judgment the covenant “to first do no harm!” Above all, Dr. George Stefanis puts his patients first, and that is why he is our 2016 Frist Humanitarian Award Physician winner for Coliseum Medical Centers.