Booth Awarded NDMA 2018 Physician Community and Professional Services Award

Michael Booth, MD, cardiovascular surgeon and associate dean of the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences Southwest Campus in Bismarck, is this year’s recipient of the North Dakota Medical Association’s Physician Community and Professional Services Award. The award is recognized as North Dakota’s most prestigious physician award and since its inception in 1977, has been awarded to forty-five distinguished physicians across the state.

Dr. Booth practices cardiothoracic surgery at CHI-St. Alexius and Sanford Health in Bismarck, N.D. He serves on many committees in those capacities, including Laser Safety, Critical Care Committee, Credentials Committee, Operating Room Committee, Department of Surgery, and the Medical Executive Committee at CHI. At UND, he serves on the Clinical Sciences Curriculum Subcommittee; the Medical Curriculum Committee (ex-officio); Campus Dean’s Committee; the UND Center for Family Medicine Advisory Committee; the Search committee, Dean of Medicine, 2015; the Search committee, Chairman of Internal Medicine, 2015-16; and the Committee on Promotion and Tenure (Chair) for the Department of Surgery.

Dr. Booth is a faithful participant in organized medicine, being a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons (Fellow), American College of Cardiology (Fellow), American College of Chest Physicians (Fellow), American Medical Association, Association for Surgical Education, Society of Endovascular Specialists, Heart Rhythm Society, and the North Dakota Medical Association.

Dr. Booth has an outstanding record of community service, apart from his specific identification as a physician, that reflects well on the profession of medicine. He has served the Bismarck community for decades, including his service on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Valley Historical Society from 1996 to now, and his service to the Boy Scouts from 2000-2010. Through his service to the Missouri Valley Historical Society, Dr. Booth was instrumental in enriching Buck Stop junction and preserving the history of the Missouri River Valley and the surrounding area.

NDMA 2018 Friend of Medicine Award Goes to Jerry Jurena

The North Dakota Hospital Association’s Past President, Jerry Jurena, MD, is this Year’s Recipient of the North Dakota Friend of Medicine Award.

During his tenure as president with the North Dakota Hospital Association, Jerry has been an excellent partner and strong supporter of the North Dakota Medical Association, both throughout the legislative session and during interim.

Jerry included NDMA in every taskforce and meeting possible and is a valiant supporter of NDMA initiatives. His expertise comes from 30 years of experience as a Chief Executive Officer for integrated health systems encompassing: rural hospitals, nursing homes, retirement apartments including assisted living, clinics and oversight of a Health Maintenance Organization.

Jerry spent 15 years as CEO of Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby and served as chairman of the board for the North Dakota Healthcare Association. On August 1, 2009 Jerry assumed the role of president for the North Dakota Healthcare Association, which later transitioned into the North Dakota Hospital Association.

During his career Jerry has been involved with the legislative process at both the state and the national level. Jerry was instrumental in the stakeholder group which supported Medicaid expansion, and inflationary increases to Medicaid. Jerry also supported the Medical School expansion and expansion of residency at the UNDSMHS. Other initiatives supported by Jerry are the interstate medical licensing compact, telemedicine reimbursement and greater enforcement against assault against for health care provider legislation.

Jerry’s many years of dedication to healthcare are unsurpassed. Throughout his career, Jerry has been a true “friend of medicine” and advocate on behalf of medicine in North Dakota.

NDMA is the professional membership association for North Dakota’s physicians, residents, and medical students. Since 1887, NDMA has ensured that physicians have a strong, independent voice on issues that impact physicians and patients.