Every year, the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society gathers to celebrate the very best of our profession at SSVMS Honors Medicine Gala. The evening is a time for physicians across Sacramento, El Dorado, and Yolo counties to reflect on the extraordinary achievements of their peers, to be inspired by stories of service and leadership, and to recognize the impact that medicine can have beyond the clinic walls.
Central to this celebration are the SSVMS Annual Awards. These awards shine a spotlight on individuals whose careers embody the values of SSVMS – compassion, advocacy, community service, and professional excellence. While we can only honor a handful of recipients each year, the awards remind us that within our community, there are countless physicians making a difference every day.
In a profession where the demands are constant and the work is often unseen, recognition is not about personal accolades. It is about affirming the ideals of medicine and encouraging others to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before. By nominating a colleague – or even yourself – you help ensure that stories of perseverance, innovation, and dedication are shared. These stories not only inspire us but also strengthen the collective identity of physicians who serve this region.
The Annual Awards are given in up to four categories:
• Golden Stethoscope Award – Presented annually to a physician whose devotion to patient care and the medical needs of the community stands as an enduring inspiration.
• Community Impact Award – Formerly the Medical Honor Award, this honor is given to a member whose high achievement has translated into a contribution of great significance to the community.
• Excellence in Advocacy Award – Created in 2023 to recognize leadership in advancing health care policy that directly benefits physicians and patients.
• Outstanding Medical Society Volunteer Award – Created in 2023 to acknowledge physicians who advance the mission and vision of SSVMS through significant contributions to the Society or through volunteer service in programs such as SPIRIT, Joy of Medicine, Future of Medicine, and the Museum of Medical History.
Each of these categories reflects a different dimension of physician leadership, and together they remind us that the practice of medicine extends far beyond the exam room.
The 2025 award recipients provide a vivid illustration of what these honors represent.
The Golden Stethoscope Award was presented to Laurie C. Gregg, MD, whose career has been defined by both clinical excellence and an unwavering commitment to physician wellness. She has spearheaded initiatives to combat burnout, foster peer support, and ensure the sustainability of medical practice.
The Community Impact Award was awarded to José Arévalo, MD, whose career exemplifies the power of advocacy and mentorship. He co-founded La Raza Medical Association, a precursor to the Latino Medical Student Association, in order to address the shortage of Latinx physicians. His commitment to health equity continued throughout his career, culminating in the founding of the Sacramento Latino Medical Association and Latinx Physicians of California.
The Outstanding Medical Society Volunteer Award was presented to Eric Williams, MD, a tireless advocate for physician mentorship and medical education. Dr. Williams has played a central role in expanding the Future of Medicine program, which now graduates more than 100 high school students each year. He is a member of the SSV Medicine Editorial Committee, where he lends his talents as both a writer and poet. He co-leads the SSVMS Med Poets Society, volunteers with the Historical Committee and Museum of Medical History, and consistently embodies the spirit of service that strengthens our Society.
These stories are just three examples of the extraordinary physicians who make up the fabric of our community. They remind us that the practice of medicine is not only about diagnosis and treatment but also about fostering resilience, advancing equity, and building the next generation of leaders.
As we prepare for the SSVMS Honors Medicine Gala, I encourage every member of SSVMS to reflect on the colleagues who inspire you. Who has devoted their career to patient care with uncommon compassion? Who has made a lasting impact on public health or medical education in our region? Who has stood up for physicians and patients in the policy arena? Who has given generously of their time and talents to strengthen SSVMS?
Recognition begins with nomination. By sharing these stories, you not only honor individuals but also strengthen our profession as a whole.
Nominations are now open, and I invite you to submit your recommendations for the SSVMS Annual Awards. Whether you put forward a colleague or nominate yourself, your participation helps ensure that the values of medicine remain visible and celebrated.
Together, let us honor excellence, inspire one another, and continue to build a community of physicians dedicated to the health and well-being of the people we serve.
