Doctors honored by HHC

In honor of National Doctors’ Day on March 30, the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) recognized the work of some of the city’s dedicated physicians, including two from Queens hospitals.
“HHC has an impressive cadre of remarkable physicians who have made New York City’s public hospitals one of the safest, effective, efficient and patient-centered health care systems in the country,” said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. “This recognition day allows us to honor a very select group of physicians who exemplify the expertise, compassion, and collaborative spirit that is helping to drive performance improvements across or vast system.”
Among the 27 doctors who were honored were Dr. Unsup Kim of Elmhurst Hospital Center and Dr. Bhupinder Khurana of Queens Hospital Center. The 2007 awardees represented diverse backgrounds with some coming from Puerto Rico, Spain, India, Pakistan, Korea, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the United States.
HHC doctors’ Day Awards, which recognizes leadership, were given to 22 of the doctors. Four other doctors received the President’s Award. The HHC Special Award, which is given for excellence in public service, was awarded to Dr. Daniel Riccardi.
“We value all of our doctors,” HHC Chief Medical Officer Ramanathan Raju, M.D., said. “Not only for their leadership and clinical skills, but also for their culture competence and sensitivity in treating a vulnerable and diverse patient population.”
There are currently about 5,000 doctors working in public hospitals, health centers and long-term care centers in New York City who treat a yearly average of 1.3 million patients.