MMS Honors Women Who Have Made a Mark

By Tom Flanagan, Media Relations Manager

Lynda Young, MD

Lynda Young, MD, past president of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS), has been described by her peers as a “top-notch leader” and an “unsung hero.” There can be no denying Dr. Young’s contributions as a leader, but she is unsung no longer.

Dr. Young is the recipient of the Massachusetts Medical Society’s 2019 Woman Physician Leadership Award, which recognizes a woman physician for her outstanding leadership, professional contributions, and service as a role model. The award is presented by the MMS Committee on Women’s Health.

Organizations and coalitions, including the Massachusetts Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Tobacco Free Mass., have benefited tremendously from Dr. Young’s ability to unite, lead, and teach. “I have had the good fortune to know Lynda for many years, through the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Massachusetts Medical Society, and she has brought excellence, civility, and collegiality to every position she has held,” says MMS Vice President Carole Allen, MD.

Dennis Dimitri, MD, another past president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, praised Dr. Young’s talents as a mentor and leader. “Dr. Young is passionate in her opinions and knows how to recognize and work with those whose opinions may differ,” he says. “She has mentored many of us in the wisdom and ways of leadership within organized medicine. Separately, I am very familiar with her work at UMass Memorial where, while still in private practice, she was a respected voice on the hospital board. Subsequently, she became chair of the UMass Memorial Medical Group board, recognizing her ability to lead disparate thinkers effectively.”

Dr. Young has never shied away from being front and center when a leader is needed, but has also achieved much away from the spotlight. “She has quietly worked behind the scenes, mentoring young and mid-career physicians and encouraging other women to pursue leadership opportunities,” says MMS Past President Alice Coombs, MD.

Dr. Young established Chandler Pediatrics and was chair of the Division of Community Pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center. She also was a past member of the Worcester Board of Health. She received her medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The Committee on Women’s Health also awarded Nidhi Lal, MD, with its Women’s Health Award, recognizing a physician for outstanding contributions advancing women’s health in Massachusetts. Dr. Lal is a respected physician, advocate, and teacher. Her pursuits include training third- and fourth-year students at Boston University School of Medicine and working on global health projects in India. “Dr. Lal’s contributions to public health and patient care are many,” says Jack Evjy, MD, past president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. “She is a leader in health policy as well. She is a role model and example for all.”

Left to right: Nidhi Lai, MD; Valerie Dobiesz, MD

Finally, Valerie Dobiesz, MD, was awarded the committee’s 2019 Women’s Health Research Award for outstanding contributions advancing women’s health research in Massachusetts. Her research focuses on improving care for obstetrical emergencies.

“Valerie has taken on multiple leadership roles at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School,” says Elke Platz, MD, who nominated Dr. Dobiesz. “She serves as co-chair of the Brigham and Women’s Committee on Women in Academic Emergency Medicine. In this role, she advocated for a substantial revision to our departmental maternity leave policy and improved access to lactation space. Both changes have been approved and significantly improved the ability of working women to seamlessly transition back to work with new family responsibilities.”