Dr. Peterson wins the Douglas A. Mack Award for Community Collaboration
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Tom Peterson, MD, Medical Director, Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, and Medical Director, Quality Improvement, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital was recognized on September 28, 2009 at the Healthy Kent 2010 Decade of Celebration event. Dr. Peterson was nominated by the Kent County medical Society Board of Directors for the award, which was named after former Kent County Public Health Director, Douglas A. Mack, MD, MPH.
The award recognized individuals working to make a difference in the health of the community by addressing one of the 10 leading health indicators identified by Health Kent 2010: Access to Care, Physical Activity, Overweight and Obesity, Tobacco Use, Substance Abuse, Responsible Sexual Behavior, Mental Health, Injury and Violence, Environmental Quality and Immunizations.
Tom Peterson, MD has nearly 20 years of experience in pediatric medicine. Dr. Peterson currently serves as Medical Director, Quality, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. In his role, Dr. Peterson leads hospital, state and nationwide initiatives in quality improvement, patient safety, childhood obesity, health promotion, and tobacco control. Peterson also advises the Spectrum Health Healthy Lifestyles program, as well as a local multi-business wellness program, both involving more than 8,000 employees. Dr. Peterson also currently serves as Medical Director for Healthier Communities at Spectrum Health. Spectrum Health Healthier Communities is focused on measurably improving the health status of people living in Kent County.
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He is chair and founder of Tobacco Free Partners, former chairman of Healthy Kent 2010, and was 2008 President of the Kent County Medical Society and the recipient of the National Community Activist Award from the American Legacy Foundation in 2008. He currently serves as the 2009 Kent Medical Foundation Board President.
Dr. Peterson readily speaks on community health issues, illness prevention and healthy lifestyles. Dr. Peterson is a Clinical Associate Professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Peterson is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the Michigan State Medical Society, the Kent County Medical Society, the Kent Medical Foundation, and the American College of Physicians Executives.