Detroit Physician Among 10 Finalists for J.H. Ka...( EAST LANSING Mich. Aug. 6...),Health

EAST LANSING, Mich., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Detroit physician Herbert C. Smitherman, Jr., M.D., has been announced as one of the 10 finalists in the inaugural J.H. Kanter Prize for physicians who have dedicated their medical careers to enhancing health care delivery.

The winners will be announced Tuesday, August 11, in Washington, D.C. The top five will receive cash prizes and national recognition "for their landmark work, their tireless efforts and creativity in developing new systems to eliminate disparities and to optimize health care for more people in the U.S.," according to The Health Legacy Partnership, sponsor of the prize.

Doctor Smitherman, an internal medicine specialist, is president and CEO of Health Centers Detroit Foundation, Inc., which operates three community-based health centers in Detroit.

"While our nation is debating health care reform, Doctor Smitherman has been working under the radar for the past 23 years to improve access to health care and reducing health care disparities for tens of thousands of underserved people in Detroit and Wayne County," said Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) president Richard E. Smith, M.D., a Detroit obstetrician/gynecologist. "Doctor Smitherman and his team have developed a model of care that improves quality and access while reducing cost. He deserves this recognition."

The winning Kanter Prize laureate will receive a $100,000 cash prize while four runners-up will receive $25,000 each. Finalists were selected from nominations from state medical associations. Doctor Smitherman was nominated by MSMS and the Wayne County Medical Society of Southeast Michigan.

These front-line physicians, nominated from across our nation, U.S. Territories and Military, have dedicated themselves to optimizing U.S. health care for all patients, regardless of gender, geography, language,
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