CMA Announces Award Recipients at 92nd Annual Educational Conference
September 21, 2023
The Catholic Medical Association honors individual members and guilds every year at the Annual Educational Conference for their dedication and great efforts toward promoting the mission and vision of the organization. Awards were presented by President Craig Treptow and Executive Director Mario Dickerson. Episcopal Advisor Bishop James Conley presided over the Distinguished Guardian of the Faith Award along with Parliamentarian Dr. Thomas Pitre, who helped bestow the medallions. Conference Poster Chair Dr. Brian Bamberger presented the Poster Session Awards. Congratulations to all our award winners.
Distinguished Guardian of the Faith Award
The Distinguished Guardian of the Faith Award is presented to members whose vocation of healing others exemplifies their faith and love of God—both personally and professionally. Their special service and dedication to the mission of the Catholic Medical Association answers God’s call of discipleship and is a testament to their character. It is the honor of the Catholic Medical Association to present the Distinguished Guardian of the Faith medallion as a symbol of service, dedication, and faith to Dr. Kim Hardey, Dr. Paul Hruz, Dr. Cathleen Schanzer and President Dr. Craig Treptow.
A closer look at award winners and their contribution:
Kim A. Hardey, M.D.
Dr. Kim A. Hardey is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Lafayette, Louisiana. He received his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He is Vice President of the DesOrmeaux Foundation that is dedicated to defending life at all stages of development, born and unborn. The Foundation also defends the sanctity of marriage, man and woman, and promotes chaste relationships as the norm in our culture. Dr. Hardey is the CMA State Director of Louisiana. He is a daily communicant and a Eucharistic Minister.
Paul W. Hruz, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Paul Hruz is a pediatric endocrinologist in Saint Louis, Missouri. He is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes. He has clinical interest in a wide range of endocrine disorders, with a special interest in diabetes mellitus. Dr. Hruz is Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Endocrinology and Diabetes and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Cell Biology and Physiology at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed his residency at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has lectured extensively and has provided excellent support to CMA committees on the transgender issue. Dr. Hruz is active in his local parish and in support of his wife Anne’s Healing and Deliverance Ministry which functions in union with the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri.
M. Cathleen (Cathy) Schanzer, M.D.
Dr. Cathy Schanzer is an ophthalmology specialist in Sayre, PA and has over 41 years of experience in the medical field. She is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the International Society of Refractive Surgery. Dr. Schanzer received her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and performed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine, also in Houston. In October 2011, Dr. Schanzer received a Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology for her missionary work in Serabu, Sierra Leone, where she and her husband established an eye clinic over 25 years ago. The Schanzers serve in the clinic two times per year, usually one month at a time, providing sight-saving procedures to hundreds of people who travel from near and far for care. The Clinic is fully operational year-round as Dr. Schanzer has been able to train local nurses and community health workers to keep the clinic running in her absence. Dr. Schanzer is very active in her local parish and has served as a Eucharistic Minister. She and her husband are daily communicants and regularly attend Eucharistic Adoration.
Craig L. Treptow, M.D.
Dr. Craig Treptow is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and sees patients of all ages in Great Falls, Montana. He received his medical degree from the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Treptow currently serves as CMA President and President of the Montana Guild. He is active on the State level, testifying on issues before the Montana Legislature. He previously served CMA as Regional Director, Vice President and Treasurer.
Evangelium Vitae Award Presented to American Association of Pro-life OB/GYNs
The Evangelium Vitae Award recognizes outstanding service to the Pro-Life Movement. The Catholic Medical Association presented this year’s EV Award to the American Association of Pro-Life OB/GYNs (AAPLOG) for their tremendous leadership and defense of the most innocent. CMA cited their work to help overturn Roe v. Wade and building awareness regarding the harms of the birth control pill and the government’s efforts to make it available over the counter as examples of their work that garnered them the recognition. Dr. Lisa Gilbert accepted the award on behalf of AAPLOG to a standing ovation.
Conference Chair Award Presented to Dr. Tim Millea
Dr. Tim Millea received the Conference Chair Award from President Dr. Craig Treptow in grateful appreciation for his outstanding and tireless leadership and service to ensure the success of the 92nd Annual Educational Conference held in Phoenix, Ariz. Sept 7-9, 2023. To-date, it was the largest conference with over 700 attendees from all over the country and also had the most medical students and residents in attendance thanks to the generous donations of CMA physician members who donated to the Medical Student and Resident Education Fund.
Outstanding Guild Award Presented to The Nashville Guild
All of our Guilds do incredible work. However, the Outstanding Guild Award is presented to the CMA Guild which surpasses expectations, and through its exceptional efforts, fulfills all five essential pillars.
The Nashville Guild of the Catholic Medical Association successfully engaged its members and the community to advance CMA’s mission. The Guild conducted medical student and resident panel discussions on challenging medical-moral issues of the day, organized Bible study groups, Masses, Book Clubs, lunches, dinners, and themed events, and registered 30 new members this year. Guild members also volunteered at the local free clinic and homeless shelter.
Outstanding Guild Chaplain Award Presented to Fr. Kyle Ratuiste
The amazing work that CMA does each year is made possible by a strong spiritual foundation, strengthened by our many chaplains. The Outstanding Guild Chaplain Award is given to CMA chaplains who provide spiritual direction and guidance to members, helping them to stay true to the Catholic Faith. This year’s recipient, Fr. Kyle Ratuiste is the chaplain of the Spokane – Washington Guild. He has far exceeded expectations by leading spiritual retreats and serving as a spiritual mentor for the Guild, coordinating all aspects of the Guild’s White Mass at the cathedral, and working on health care policies with the Diocese.
Outstanding Student Chapter Award Presented to CMA Student Section at Rocky Vista University in Colorado
Life as a Catholic medical student in a secular world can seem unfathomable at times. Fortunately, CMA is blessed with many young members dedicated to the future of Catholic Medicine. The Outstanding Student Chapter Award is given to the student chapter which has effected meaningful change in its community. The CMA medical students at Rocky Vista University focused on service through homeless outreach with Christ in the City. They held spiritual and educational formation events, participated in monthly Holy Hours and seminars, and they participated in a Religious Patient Panel which considered how to approach religion in various patient-care settings.
Saint Luke Award Presented to the Denver Guild
The Saint Luke Award is presented to the qualified recipient that completes all five essential pillars of an active guild. The Denver Guild promotes spiritual and educational formation through White Masses and speaker events, and enhancing fellowship through member-sponsored dinners. The Guild also grew its email list by 46 new members this year. Members also serve their community by setting up and volunteering at a Free Screening Clinic. The Denver Guild achieved excellence in all five pillars of an active Guild.
Pillars Certificate Award Presented to the Baltimore Guild and the Spokane-Washington Guild
The Pillars Certificate Award represents the far-reaching impact CMA Guilds can make in their local communities—and as representatives of the entire Catholic Medical Association. To earn this award, Guilds must achieve at least three of the five essential pillars of an active Guild. The five pillars are: Spiritual Formation, Educational Formation, Fellowship, Service, and Growth. When they strive to achieve these pillars, CMA Guilds ensure a comprehensive approach to realizing the vision and mission of CMA. This year’s winner of the Pillar Certificate were awarded to the Baltimore Guild and the Spokane-Washington Guild for their leadership.
Linacre Quarterly Award Presented to Michael Miller Jr.
The recipient of this year’s Linacre Quarterly Award put our publication ahead of the curve in hot news stories. Artificial intelligence is on everyone’s mind, and this author took a clear and convincing look at how AI interfaces with medicine and how our Catholic faith can help tame an otherwise troubling technology. The 2023 Linacre Quarterly Award was presented to Michael Miller Jr., D.HCML, HEC-C for his article Catholic Health Care and AI Ethics: Algorithms for Human Flourishing.
Poster Award Winners
Research Theology Student Poster
Medical Student Margaret McCann Dr. Charlie Peters Sean Daly, Joseph Mullally, and Michael Nicholls