WALTHAM – Dr. Henry L. Dorkin, a Newton resident and renowned pediatric pulmonologist and researcher with a career-long focus on cystsic fibrosis, has been honored by the Massachusetts Medical Society as the 2024 recipient of its Award for Distinguished Service.
Dorkin has served the Massachusetts Medical Society in a variety of capacities, including as the organization’s President from 2017-2018, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, and member of the Committee on Legislation. He is a past president of the Suffolk District Medical Society.
Dorkin, a graduate of Lehigh University and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, is lauded by his peers in the Medical Society for a history of leadership. Notably, during his presidential year, MMS engaged in internal discussions around the clinical, legal and ethical conundrum of the physician’s role in “End of Life” care. He also testified on the Society’s position in favor of narcotics Overdose Prevention Clinics. Most recently, he advocated that the emotionally charged term “Medicare for All” be changed to “Medical Care for All.”
Dorkin was a Professor of Pediatrics and Division Chief at the Floating Hospital (Tufts) before becoming Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Joey O’Donnell CF Center at MGH. Most recently, he was Co-director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center and Director of Clinical Research in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. He serves as a Massachusetts delegate to the AMA and as Vice-Chair of Tobacco Free Mass.
“At MMS, (Dorkin) quickly made his mark by fostering compromise on some of the most divisive issues the society has faced,” MMS president-elect Dr. Hugh Taylor said. “He guided the society through an agreement on engaged neutrality regarding medical aid in dying. Dr. Dorkin revisited this approach at the recent (November 2023) AMA meeting, when as a delegate from MMS, he introduced this language into discussions on the floor. He has taken a similar role in discussing Medicare for All legislation. Dr. Dorkin has urged us to avoid the divisive labels, and instead focus on our goals for health care coverage for all, that we can agree on. His leadership on these and other important topics has immeasurably enriched our Society.”
The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) is the statewide professional association for physicians and medical students, supporting 25,000 members. We are dedicated to educating and advocating for the physicians of Massachusetts and patients locally and nationally. A leadership voice in health care, the MMS contributes physician and patient perspectives to influence health-related legislation at the state and federal levels, works in support of public health, provides expert advice on physician practice management, and addresses issues of physician well-being. Under the auspices of the NEJM Group, the MMS extends our mission globally by advancing medical knowledge from research to patient care through the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Catalyst, and the NEJM Journal Watch family of specialty publications, and through our education products for health care professionals: NEJM Knowledge+, NEJM Resident 360, and our accredited and comprehensive continuing medical education programs.
