CSMS Presents 2014 Healthcare Leader/Innovator Award to David Hass, MD
September 12, 2014 (New Haven) -- The Connecticut Medicine Health Care Leader and Innovator (HLI) Award is presented to a physician at any stage of practice who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to leadership and innovation at a time of significant changes in the practice of medicine.
The winner of the 2014 HLI Award is David Hass, MD, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine’s Division of Digestive Diseases, and a practicing gastroenterologist. Dr. Hass currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Fair Haven Community Health Center, and is also a past President of the New Haven County Medical Association. Connecticut Medicine Editor Michael Deren, MD presented the HLI Award to Dr. Hass at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the CSMS House of Delegates.
Dr. Hass’ selection as this year’s HLI Award recipient reflects his exceptional motivation and leadership in engaging residents and fellows in health policy issues. Recognizing that young physicians require additional tools beyond their core medical education to succeed in today’s practice environment, Dr. Hass took the initiative and created the Young Physician Leadership Curriculum (YPLC) at Yale. The goal of the YPLC is to create future physician leaders and effective physician advocates by providing a more comprehensive education during medical training.
A skilled clinician and gifted educator, Dr. Hass actively sought ideas and input from residents and fellows in the initial curriculum development process. His willingness to listen – even on nights and weekends – meant that the curriculum truly reflected their interests and concerns. As a result, hundreds of house staff participated in YPLC conferences on policy analysis, state and national advocacy, and leadership during the program’s first year. This initial success provided a solid foundation for Dr. Hass to work with CSMS and Yale-New Haven Hospital and obtain grant funding from the Physicians Foundation. The new grant will be used to develop an intensive two-day course focused on core concepts of leadership development for residents and fellows, in addition to continuing the YPLC conference series.
Many physicians talk about the changing practice of medicine and the growing need for physician advocacy. The HLI Award recognizes Dr. Hass’ willingness to act, creating an opportunity for young physicians to develop the leadership and advocacy skills that are critical to the future success of the profession of medicine.
L-R: Connecticut Medicine Editor Michael Deren, MD; CSMS EVP/CEO Matthew Katz; HLI Award winner David Hass, MD; CSMS President Michael Saffir, MD
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