For his leadership in providing health services to Vermonters, the Vermont Medical Society has honored Sen. James Leddy of South Burlington with its 2006 Citizen of the Year Award.

The award recognizes Leddy’s 20 years of service at the Howard Center for Human Services in Burlington, where he was executive director until his retirement in December 2000. The award also honors Leddy for his commitment to advancing health care reform legislation in the Vermont Senate.

Leddy, who has represented Chittenden County since 1998, is the chairman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, the co-chair of the Joint Senate and House Commission on Health Care Reform, and the co-chair of the Mental Health Oversight Committee.

As a result of Leddy’s leadership, Vermont passed a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law and the Catamount Health program, which will make health care more affordable for Vermonters. He also was instrumental in passage of a bill that establishes a statewide database for monitoring potential abuse of certain prescription medications. His work on the Mental Health Oversight Committee has helped Vermont modernize its care of persons requiring public mental health services.

Leddy is “an inspiring example of a true public servant,” said Dr. Peter Dale, immediate past president of the Vermont Medical Society.

Leddy was presented with the Citizen of the Year Award at the Vermont Medical Society’s 193^rd Annual Meeting, held Oct. 14 at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes. 

The Vermont Medical Society’s Citizen of the Year Award is presented to a non-physician resident of Vermont who has made a significant contribution to the health of the people of Vermont.

The Vermont Medical Society represents more than 1,500 physicians licensed in Vermont. The mission of the Vermont Medical Society is to serve the public by facilitating and enhancing physicians’ individual and collective commitments, capabilities and efforts to improve the quality of life for the people of Vermont through the provision of accessible and appropriate health care services.

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PHOTO CAPTION: Sen. James Leddy of South Burlington (right) receives the Vermont Medical Society Citizen of the Year Award from Dr. Maureen Molloy (left).

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