Dr. Christopher Huffer, Pulmonologist at Witham Health Services and Jeff Byrum, former Executive Director at Witham health Services had the honor to present Dr. Thomas Cartwright The “Outstanding Professional of the Year” award at Thursday’s Chamber banquet.
The Healthcare professional of the year award began in 2003 to recognize an individual who exemplifies knowledge and skills relating to patient care. The recipient must demonstrate professionalism, eagerness to serve and leadership, which goes above and beyond the norm within his or her organization. The individual must contribute to healthcare within the community by promoting healthy living, public health education or volunteer activities.
Dr. Cartwright came to Boone County over 16 years ago as a Witham physician. At the time Witham did not have a pulmonary or sleep medicine program. He took a chance by starting these essential services while giving our community access to new avenues of care. He set standards for physicians at Witham. He was a foundational leader for our culture of caring and grace by example as other physicians saw him practice. He has the dynamic combination of being a truly gifted clinical doctor and also having the personality and communication skills to get patients to believe in what we were trying to do. He devoted his career at Witham to world class care, kindness and grace to his patients and developing Witham into what is has become today.
He served in many medical staff leadership roles over the years but his most impactful role was of Chief Medical Officer. This is the administrative leader for the physicians and an essential voice for physicians within our executive team. In this executive leadership role he helped recruit and hire more than 1/3 of Witham’s current medical stall and mentored many of the younger Witham physicians. He helped develop new service lines such as Cardiology, Addiction Medicine, a 24/7 Hospitalist Program, Neurology, Endocrinology and more.
As Dr. Huffer said “Not everyone can tell the difference between the average doctor and a supremely gifted one…but I can. Tom, you are the greatest. Witham would not be Witham without the dedication of Dr. Thomas Cartwright.”
Witham congratulates Dr. Thomas Cartwright on this most deserving “Outstanding Healthcare Professional of the Year” award!