ACS Board of Regents Honors Amilu Stewart, MD, FACS, with 2010 Distinguished Service Award

Newswise — The Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) presented Amilu Stewart, MD, FACS, of Colorado Springs, CO, with the College’s 2010 Distinguished Service Award on October 3, during its 2010 Annual Clinical Congress in Washington, DC. The Board recognized Dr. Stewart with the College’s highest honor for her “dedicated service to the ACS and to the profession of surgery as a gifted and dedicated community surgeon and an active volunteer and leader.”

Dr. Stewart currently serves on the admissions committee at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Colorado Springs. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA (1965), and completed a residency in general surgery (1965–1970) at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. While completing her postgraduate training, Dr. Stewart also completed a transplant fellowship at the University of Colorado (1969).

Dr. Stewart’s academic career has been centered at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where she was instructor in surgery and assistant professor of surgery (1972–1990). In addition to her work at the university, Dr. Stewart also served as a member of the surgical staff at both Penrose [St. Francis Health Services] and Memorial [Health Systems] (1972–2008) in Colorado Springs. At Penrose, Dr. Stewart also held the position of chief, department of surgery (1995). Prior to that time, Dr. Stewart served as emergency department director at Washington [Adventist] Hospital, Takoma Park, MD (1970–1972).

Since Dr. Stewart became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1974, her “tireless volunteer spirit” has resulted in “countless hours spent actively ser-ving the College,” according to the ACS Board of Regents. She has served the ACS in a variety of College activities, including as the Second Vice-President of the College (2003), as a member of the Board of Governors (1993–1999), and in leadership roles as Secretary (1996–1998) and Chair (1998–1999) of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors. Dr. Stewart also served as a member of the former Board of Governors Committee on Ambulatory Surgical Care, its Committee on Surgical Infections and Environmental Risks (1995–1999), and she chaired the Governors Committee to Study the Fiscal Affairs of the College (1996–1998). On a local level, Dr. Stewart served as Councilor (1991), Treasurer (1993), and President (1995) of the ACS Colorado Chapter.

Additionally, she has represented the College on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (2002–2006) and as the ACS Delegate to the American Medical Association (1999–2008). A founding member of the ACS Foundation, Dr. Stewart serves as Chair of the ACS Foundation’s Corporate and Foundation Committee and is an organizer of its annual Industry Breakfast. Dr. Stewart concurrently serves as Secretary and board member of the ACS Foundation. Prior to her involvement with the ACS Foundation, Dr. Stewart served as a member of the ACS Committee on Development (2000–2003; 2005–2007).

In addition to recognizing Dr. Stewart for her involvement with the College, she is being recognized for her “long and distinctive service to her surgical community.” Dr. Stewart has been a leader of numerous surgical organizations, including president of the Western Surgical Association. She has also served as treasurer of the Colorado Medical Society (1975–1980) and the El Paso County Medical Society (1972–1975); and as president of the Colorado Springs Surgical Society (1985). Additionally, Dr. Stewart was one of the founders of the Colorado Physician’s Insurance Company in 1980; she served on the company’s board for 18 years.

As a retired surgeon, Dr. Stewart continues to give back to her community by volunteering to do office-based surgery at Peak Vista Community Health Centers, which provides primary care services to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured families within the Pikes Peak region of Colorado.

In acknowledgement of the positive leadership shown throughout her distin-guished career and her continued and dedicated service to and on behalf of the College and the surgical community, the Board of Regents is pleased to recognize Dr. Stewart’s outstanding contributions by awarding her the College’s highest honor, the 2010 Distinguished Service Award.

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and com-petent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 77,000 members and it is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.