Touro College Student Stephen Rivoli Receives “2011 Leadership Award”

Robert B. Goldberg, D.O., dean of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) in Harlem, announced today that second-year student Stephen Rivoli, MPH, MA, CPHQ, was selected as a recipient of the “2011 Leadership Award” by the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation at a ceremony on February 8^th in Washington, D.C.  The award provides medical students, residents, fellows, and early career physicians from around the country with special training to develop their skills as future leaders in organized medicine and community affairs.

Mr. Rivoli is one of only 24 medical students in the nation to receive the AMA Foundation leadership award.  The Foundation honored 30 individuals with the award at its annual “Excellence in Medicine Awards.”  Presented in association with Pfizer Inc, recipients of the award are recognized for demonstrating outstanding non-clinical leadership skills in advocacy, community service, and education.

Mr. Rivoli’s interests lie in translation of evidence-based quality practices to complex real world health care delivery. Since 2006, Mr. Rivoli has worked in quality and patient safety at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, which is a member of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. There he has focused extensively in the areas of patient satisfaction, health care metrics and clinical operation improvement.  In 2009, he founded The Harvey Milk Men, a community group that has raised over $100,000 for various LGBT causes, mainly through AIDS Walk New York.

“The entire TouroCOM community is thrilled for Stephen for his recognition as a leader by the AMA Foundation,” said Dr. Goldberg.  “He has certainly been a leader at our school, serving as student body vice president, and demonstrating his ability to motivate and encourage his peers.  His enthusiasm for medicine and genuine interest in the wellness of others set a shining example for all aspiring physicians.”

“As our nation continues to struggle with issues of access, disease prevention and disparities in care, encouraging the next generation of leaders is critical,” said Barney R. Maynard, M.D., AMA Foundation President.  “We need individuals like these award recipients who are taking the initiative to tackle health care’s most difficult challenges.”

“I am so grateful, honored, and humbled by this recognition by the AMA Foundation,” said Mr. Rivoli.  “I will continue to learn all that I can about successful leadership through  my experiences and from my mentors, and remain committed to community-based work while always acting as a physician champion for quality, patient-centered care and treatment.”

For further information visit: http://www.touro.edu/med/

Visit www.amafoundation.org to learn more.

Photo caption: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) second-year student Stephen Rivoli, MPH, MA, CPHQ, received a “2011 Leadership Award” from the American Medical Foundation.  Mr. Rivoli was selected for demonstrating outstanding non-clinical leadership skills in advocacy, community service, and education.  Mr. Rivoli was honored along with other medical students at a ceremony on February 8^th in Washington, D.C.  Pictured L-R:  Stephen Rivoli and Cecil Wilson, MD, president of the American Medical Association.  Photo credit: AMA Foundation.