May 9, 2025 by matray

In recognition of extraordinary work in support of physicians, physician practices, and patient care, the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) has been awarded the Medical Professional Liability Association (MPL Association) 2025 Humanitarian Award of Excellence. This award is presented to individuals or organizations that have undertaken outstanding efforts to meet the needs of affected people during times of crisis or to affect long-term change to improve the human condition.

NCMS has a rich history spanning more than 175 years and remains fully committed to its mission: promoting the highest standards of medical practice and improving the health of the citizens of North Carolina. The western part of the state sustained massive damage during Hurricane Helene—obliterating several of the small towns, the infrastructure, and much of what made that area so unique. NCMS immediately stepped in to provide relief and recovery efforts to friends and colleagues. The North Carolina Medical Society Foundation (NCMS-F) is the philanthropic arm of the NCMS. The NCMS-F was able to activate its Disaster Relief Fund, which is dedicated to helping community practices recover and remain in place for their patients. NCMS and NCMS-F also worked to provide grants to rebuild or repair any damaged practices. Priority was given to any smaller practices with physical damage, loss of supplies, and/or loss of vaccines. The NCMS has also raised more than $550,000 for disaster relief efforts to date.

“The North Carolina Medical Society displayed quick action and a cooperative spirit to assist its members and their patients in the wake of such long-term devastation,” said J. Michael Conerly, MD, chair of the MPL Association’s Board of Directors and president and CEO of LAMMICO. “This award honors NCMS for its work following Hurricane Helene, but also its long-standing commitment to the state’s physicians and physician practices. We commend NCMS for its efforts working directly with impacted healthcare professionals as well as connecting and collaborating with volunteers, first responders, and government agencies to assist the larger community.”

“The North Carolina Medical Society is honored to receive the MPL Association's Humanitarian Award of Excellence,” said NCMS Board Member Ronald B. Laney, Jr., MD. “We are proud to support our members, their patients, and the community as a whole. We, as an organization, will persist in making sure our physicians and their practices recover and remain in place to serve the citizens of North Carolina.”

Laney will accept the award on behalf of the North Carolina Medical Society at the MPL Association’s annual meeting on May 22 in Austin, Texas.

May 9, 2025 by matray

In recognition of extraordinary work in support of physicians, physician practices and patient care, the Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA) has been awarded the Medical Professional Liability Association (MPL Association) 2025 Humanitarian Award of Excellence. This award is presented to individuals or organizations that have undertaken outstanding efforts to meet the needs of affected people during times of crisis or to affect long-term change to improve the human condition.

LACMA was founded in 1871 and is the largest regional medical association in the nation with more than 7,000 members. At the outset of the Los Angeles fire catastrophe, when only seven acres were burned, LACMA mobilized staff, galvanized the board of directors, and notified its network of 14,000 physicians across the region to be aware of the potential for disaster. The fires eventually destroyed lives and livelihoods; disrupted pivotal services such as public health, medical care, and infrastructure. Nearly 50,000 acres and 15,000 homes, businesses, and structures were lost in both the Palisades and Eaton fires.

“The Los Angeles County Medical Association exhibited both a tremendous response and ongoing commitment to physicians in the face of the disaster,” said J. Michael Conerly, MD, chair of the MPL Association’s Board of Directors and President and CEO of LAMMICO. “This award honors them for their important service every day but particularly throughout the tragedy of the wildfire devastation. We applaud LACMA for addressing the immediate needs of its physician members including home and medical practice rebuilding, practice sustainability, patient communications, and so much more, as well as the ongoing efforts to continue to assist those impacted.”

"The Los Angeles County Medical Association is honored to receive the MPL Association's Humanitarian Award of Excellence,” said LACMA chief executive officer Gustavo Friederichsen. “We are proud to support our members and have seen so many segments of our community come together, show resiliency, and make countless contributions to support those on healthcare's front line of service.”

“The rebuilding process will take several years but LACMA is here for the survivors, regardless of membership status, just like we were during the public health crisis of 2020 as we stay true to our conviction: ‘Doctors take care for patients. LACMA takes cares of you,’” Friederichsen stated. Friederichsen will accept the award on behalf of the Los Angeles County Medical Association at the MPL Association’s annual meeting on May 22 in Austin, Texas.

May 9, 2025 by matray

The Medical Professional Liability Association (MPL Association) has announced that Frank Lavoie, MD, will receive the 2025 Award of Excellence in Honor of Peter Sweetland. Dr. Lavoie is being honored for his outstanding contributions and longtime dedication to the MPL insurance community, the MPL Association and healthcare professionals. The MPL Association is the leading international organization representing the medical professional liability insurance community.

Dr. Lavoie was president and chief executive officer of Medical Mutual Insurance Company of Maine for nine years, and a member of the company’s board for 12 years. Prior to his appointment as president and CEO, he had a long career in hospital administration, including roles as chief medical officer and chief operating officer.

Dr. Lavoie served on the MPL Association’s Board of Directors for seven years. In addition, he was a member of the Nominating Committee and the Finance & Audit Committee, as well as serving as chair of the CEO/COO Section and Regional Member Roundtable.

“Dr. Lavoie has been a dedicated and exemplary member of the medical profession and of the MPL community," said MPL Association Board Chair J. Michael Conerly, MD, LAMMICO president and CEO. "We are very pleased to honor him for his extraordinary commitment to the physician community, the MPL industry and this Association. We are so pleased to be able to honor his career that has supported quality delivery of healthcare, the important work of medical professionals, and the mission of this organization.”

“We are truly appreciative of Dr. Lavoie’s service to the MPL Association,” said Eric R. Anderson, MPL Association interim president and CEO. “The Association prospers thanks to the contributions of steadfast members such as Dr. Lavoie and we applaud his tremendous work on both our behalf and on behalf of all of those who have a stake in the protection and provision of healthcare.”

The award will be presented on May 22 at the MPL Association Conference held in Austin, Texas.

The MPL Association Award of Excellence in Honor of Peter Sweetland, established in 1993 by the MPL Association’s Board of Directors, was created in honor of the late Peter Sweetland, one of the Association’s chief architects and most fervent supporters. The award recognizes an individual who has provided exemplary service to the industry and the MPL Association, and who epitomizes the high ideals and ethics for which Peter Sweetland stood.