Presidential Citations
Presidential citations are presented by the OMA president to physicians, physician assistants, and individuals in Oregon for their leadership and outstanding contributions to the practice of medicine.
Congratulations!
Leadership in Equity
Jenny Silberger, MD & Fred Williams, MD
Dr. Silberger and Dr. Williams are awarded with the OMA Presidential Citation for their outstanding leadership of the OMA’s Equity Task Force and Systemic Racism Work Group which will guide the OMA’s efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system for clinicians and patients. Through their exhaustive efforts, the OMA is in a position of strength to advocate for a diverse healthcare workforce that reduces disparities in health outcomes and improves patient care, and to advocate for legislation that alleviates the structural and social determinants generating disparate health outcomes.
Physician Protections & Risk Management
William Baer, MD
Dr. William Baer has been awarded the OMA Presidential Citation for his incredibly dedicated 47 years of service to the OMA-CNA Physician Protection Program. He has been an OMA member and CNA insured since 1972 and for many years he headed the applications committee for our program. Dr. Baer has also been an invaluable resource to CNA Claim representatives in Oregon, when an Ophthalmology specialist was required. He has reviewed many claim files over the years and was invaluable for helping to mitigate exposure. Dr. Baer was also Co-Chair of the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee for two decades where he represented the OMA with great distinction.
Legislative Champions
Senator Elizabeth Steiner-Hayward, MD
Senator Elizabeth Steiner-Hayward, MD is awarded the OMA Presidential Citation for her strong advocacy of healthcare providers and patient care. Through her role as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Oregon Legislature, Senator Steiner-Hayward has been a strong proponent to increase the tax on tobacco projects, she has secured additional dollars for the Health Care Provider Incentive Fund, and she led the passage of the Family Connects program which offers a home health visit from a nurse to all families with a newborn child.
Representative Rachel Prusak, NP
Representative Rachel Prusak, RN is awarded the OMA Presidential Citation for being a champion of her patients and constituents in Salem. As a Nurse Practitioner who serves mostly elderly Oregonians in their homes, long-term care facilities and hospice, Rachel’s experience with fragile populations is foundational to her strong advocacy on health care and health care access. She serves as Chair of the House Health Care Committee and was the OMA’s lead legislator on two priority bills in the 2021 session: Telemedicine Payment Parity and Utilization Management Transparency Act.
Representative Maxine Dexter, MD
Representative Maxine Dexter, MD is awarded the OMA Presidential Citation for her leadership in the House on several key issues. Although new to the Chamber, she is not new to advocacy and policy development. Representative Dexter was appointed to serve the remaining term of Representative Mitch Greenlick's term after his death, and she was then elected to the seat. Representative Dexter took on the role of chair of a COVID-19 subcommittee and held weekly hearings to get information from leaders to the public on the State’s response. Representative Dexter also secured a requirement that Oregon Health Authority provide recommendations for a regional global budget health care delivery model pilot program.
Representative Lisa Reynolds, MD
Representative Lisa Reynolds, MD is awarded the OMA Presidential Citation for her successful efforts to advocate the Oregon legislature and for her advocacy as an elected official. As a proud member of Moms Demand Action, Representative Reynolds helped to pass Senate Bill 554 which ensures that firearms are safely stored. As a member of the House, Rep. Reynolds serves as Vice Chair of the Early Childhood Committee where her background as a pediatrician is invaluable for crafting legislation that supports the children of Oregon.