WALTHAM – Dr. Paul Biddinger, Medical Director for Emergency Preparedness at Mass General Brigham and an integral leader of the state’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, has been honored by the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) with its 2021 Henry Ingersoll Bowditch Award for Excellence in Public Health.
One of the medical society’s most prestigious awards, the Ingersoll Bowditch award is bestowed annually to a Massachusetts physician who demonstrates creativity, commendable citizenship, initiative, innovation and leadership in the public health and advocacy
fields.
Biddinger chairs the Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group. A longtime member of the MMS, Biddinger’s contributions to the organization include chairing the organization’s Committee on Preparedness and serving as vice chair of the Committee on
Public Health.
“Dr. Biddinger is a very knowledgeable as a clinician and even at this exceedingly difficult time, he demonstrates compassion and skill in dealing with complicated discussions, such as projections for Massachusetts’ vaccine rollout,” said Dr. Simone Wildes,
an infectious disease specialist at South Shore Health and fellow member of the vaccine advisory group. “He patiently listens to all our varied opinions and always uses equity as a guide in making difficult decisions.”
Among those who nominated Biddinger for the award was Dr. Larry Madoff, Medical Director, Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
“I witnessed firsthand (Biddinger’s) leadership and character in ably shepherding the group of physicians, politicians, clergy and community representatives as the Commonwealth developed prioritization for COVID-19 vaccine use.” Madoff said. “He has given
selflessly and tirelessly to public health efforts in Massachusetts since the beginning of the pandemic. His remarkable attributes—medical knowledge, understanding of principles of medicine and public health, and deep commitment to ethical values—have
saved numerous lives during this unparalleled time.”
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.
