American Medical Association Foundation

Excellence in Medicine Awardee Feature: Victor Ekuta, MD, received the 2025 Outstanding International Medical Graduate Award. Dr. Ekuta is a Neurology Resident Physician at Morehouse School of Medicine and an award-winning physician-scientist-advocate committed to advancing brain health equity. As the first Black male resident in his program's history, he brings a pioneering spirit to his clinical care, research, and advocacy. His passion for this work is deeply personal. As the son of a mother battling Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Ekuta has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by families—particularly immigrant families—navigating a fragmented health system marked by delayed diagnoses and implicit bias. These experiences inform every aspect of his journey. He has conducted research at leading institutions including the NIH, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on racial disparities in Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers and post-stroke aphasia. Beyond the clinic, Dr. Ekuta mentors underrepresented students and serves on the American Academy of Neurology's Undergraduate Education Subcommittee. His ultimate goal is to become a behavioral neurologist leveraging digital innovation and advocacy to ensure neuroscience serves all communities equitably. In honor of Dr. Ekuta, a grant was awarded to Black Men's Brain Health.

Meet Sade Fayiga, MS, a 2025 Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship Recipient. Fayiga is a fourth-year medical student at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, pursuing a career in dermatology with a strong focus on health equity and underserved care. She holds a Master of Science in Skin Biology and Dermatological Sciences from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, with published research in pediatric dermatology, dermatopathology, and skin of color. Her work, which is centered around compassionate, culturally competent care, has taken her to national conferences, advocacy events, and the Forbes Under 30 Summit. Fayiga is the founder of the Latino Wellness Clinic in Ohio (link below to read more), a 2023 Nth Dimensions Scholar, and a medical student mentor for legislative advocacy through the Florida Dermatology Trainee Advocacy Group. She was also featured at the 2024 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting for her contributions to the field. https://lnkd.in/ghYVEjyd

Excellence in Medicine Awardee Feature: Dr. Howard Pride received the 2025 Pride in the Profession Award. Dr. Pride is a board-certified dermatologist who has been practicing pediatric dermatology since 1993. He served as Chairman of the Dermatology Department at Geisinger in Pennsylvania for six years and is currently with the Carilion Clinic in Virginia. Dr. Pride is the co-author of a textbook on pediatric dermatology and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Dr. Pride is also a past president of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. Since 1995, Dr. Pride has been the director of Camp Discovery, PA (formerly Camp Horizon), a camp for children with chronic skin diseases. His work with the camp has earned him several accolades, including presidential citations and the American Academy of Dermatology's Golden Triangle Award. In honor of Dr. Pride, a grant was awarded to Healthy Ninos Honduras.

We're proud to support students like Allison Kufta, one of our incredible #PhysiciansOfTomorrow scholarship recipients. With your support, Allison is one step closer to becoming an Ophthalmologist and creating positive change in her future patients' lives. When we invest in students, we build a healthier tomorrow.

The AMA Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Mary Beth Ellison as president of the AMA Foundation Board of Directors. Ellison brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective informed by: - Her tenure as president of the AMA Alliance (2019–2020) - Leadership roles in the Ohio State Medical Association Alliance and the Summit County Medical Alliance - A clinical background as a certified medical technologist at the Cleveland Clinic and Akron Children’s Hospital - A longstanding commitment to community service, including involvement with Mobile Meals, dog rescue organizations, and guide dog training With a career defined by mission-driven leadership, a deep understanding of physician family life, and a passion for grassroots advocacy, she is well-positioned to help the AMA Foundation bring physicians and communities together to improve the nation’s health. https://lnkd.in/gD5DMYKZ

We are thrilled to welcome Thomas Madejski, MD, back to our board of directors. A board-certified internist with more than 20 years of leadership in organized medicine, Dr. Madejski previously served as a representative of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees in 2020-24. Dr. Madejski is a passionate advocate for physician leadership and health policy. He was elected to the AMA Council on Medical Service in 2015 and has represented New York as a delegate in the AMA House of Delegates for more than 15 years. He is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians. His leadership within the MSSNY includes serving as president, vice president, treasurer, commissioner of socio-medical economics, and vice chair of the Legislative and Physician Advocacy Committee. He is also a past president of the Orleans County Medical Society. Currently, Dr. Madejski serves as chief of medicine at Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital, medical director at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, and is a clinical instructor in medicine and pharmacy at the University at Buffalo. We are honored to once again benefit from Dr. Madejski’s expertise, vision, and unwavering dedication to advancing the field of medicine.

Excellence in Medicine Awardee Feature: Denise Foy received the 2025 Dr. Jacqueline A. Bello Friend of the AMA Foundation Award. Foy is vice president of operations for Health Solutions at the American Medical Association, where she leads the strategic and financial operations of the organization’s largest division. She has held senior leadership roles in multiple startup organizations, including president and CEO of PeopleScout, chief operating officer of Modern Teacher, and executive vice president of operations and human resources at APAC Teleservices. She has served on the boards of Horizons Community Services and Center on Halsted for more than 15 years, where she helped lead a successful capital campaign that raised over $30 million to build the center's Community Center. She was honored with the Human First Award for her contributions. Foy is a founding member and trustee of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, a member of the AMA Health Equity Work Group, and executive sponsor of the AMA’s Pride Employee Resource Group. As an AMA Foundation ambassador, she advocates for our mission and inspires others to support our impactful work. In recognition of her leadership and service, a grant was awarded to Howard Brown Health.

We’re thrilled to welcome Chidinma Ikonte as the new medical student representative on the AMA Foundation Board of Directors. Currently a third-year medical student at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Ikonte combines her background in finance with a deep commitment to advancing health equity on a global scale. Her leadership within the American Medical Association is already well established, having served as her chapter’s Medical Student Section president and delegate, and as co-chair of the AMA-MSS Archives Task Force: Big Wins section. We’re honored to have her voice and leadership on the board and look forward to her meaningful contributions.

Excellence in Medicine Awardee Feature: Alexander Hwang, received the 2025 International Award in Medicine. Dr. Hwang is a United States Air Force Major and emergency physician currently serving as the emergency services medical director at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. As the only emergency medicine-trained Air Force physician on the peninsula, he provides care to over 24,000 beneficiaries—including U.S. service members, families, and civilian personnel—while leading disaster response and mass casualty planning for the 51st Fighter Wing. Dr. Hwang has advanced medical readiness through strategic partnerships with the U.S. Army and Navy, Korean trauma centers, and NATO forces. His work has strengthened cross-border trauma systems, improved patient transfer protocols, and expanded access to critical care. He was named Pacific Air Forces Physician of the Year in 2023, awarded honorary lifetime membership in the Korean Military Medical Association, and received the Navy Achievement Medal for his contributions to a maritime special operations mission. In honor of Dr. Hwang, a grant was awarded to the UC Davis Foundation and Corporate Engagement, directed to the Department of Emergency Medicine. UC Davis Health

Today would have been our friend Lawrence Cheung's 53rd birthday. We're all better for having known him. Thank you to the American Medical Association Foundation and the American Medical Association and all of the generous donors who made this memorial possible. Albert Ray George A. Fouras, MD DFAACAP California Medical Association San Francisco Marin Medical Society