Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 20, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 20, 2003

VERMONT MEDICAL SOCIETY HONORS DR. JOAN MADISON
WITH PHYSICIAN AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

A retired Shelburne physician who expanded Vermonters’ knowledge of end-of-life care issues has been named by the Vermont Medical Society as this year’s recipient of its Physician Award for Community Service.

Joan Madison, M.D., was presented the award at the 190^th Annual Meeting of the Vermont Medical Society, held on Oct. 17-18 at the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock.

Dr. Madison, an allergist, retired from her practice at the Timberlane Medical Center in South Burlington in 1997, after having practiced in Vermont since 1964. When her husband, Dr. James F. Madison, fell ill to pancreatic cancer seven years ago, it was his wish that health care professionals and the public be better educated about the care of terminally-ill patients. Shortly after her husband’s death, another respected physician, Dr. Robert Deane of Burlington, also died of pancreatic cancer.

The two unfortunate deaths led Dr. Madison to create the Madison-Deane Initiative, a volunteer group that works to enhance end-of-life care. The program, which is part of the Visiting Nurse Association, brings internationally-known experts to Vermont to discuss quality of care at the end of life and pain control.

“Joan is a guiding light for the Madison-Deane Initiative Advisory Council. She has significantly contributed to the exciting growth of the Madison-Deane Initiative from its first lecture series in Sept. 1997 to the current launch of a palliative care education program,” said Dawn Stanyon, director of development and community relations at the VNA. The education program includes the publication of a palliative care resource guide for Chittenden and Grand Isle counties and an educational video.

“I’m deeply honored and I’m so pleased the topic of end-of-life care has become so important,” Dr. Madison said about receiving the Vermont Medical Society award.

The Physician Award for Community Service is presented to a Vermont physician who has compiled an outstanding record of community service apart from his or her specific duties as a physician.

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.

*** Photo Caption: Dr. Joan Madison (center) accepts the Vermont Medical Society’s Physician Award for Community Service from Dr. Stokes Gentry (left) and Dr. James O’Brien, president of the Vermont Medical Society (right).
Click on image above to enlarge