Kathi J. Kemper, M.D., a pediatrician at Brenner Children’s Hospital, has been named one of five finalists for the Bravewell Leadership Award, a $100,000 biannual award to celebrate and support visionaries who have committed their medical careers to transforming health care in America and ushering in the practice of a new medicine.
The five finalists for the award were chosen from an international field of nominees. They are in addition to Kemper: Brian Berman, M.D., James Gordon, M.D., Erminia Guarneri, M.D., and Dean Ornish, M.D.
The Bravewell Leadership Award is sponsored by the Philanthropic Collaborative for Integrative Medicine (PCIM) to recognize extraordinary leadership in the rapidly growing field of integrative medicine. PCIM was created by philanthropists in the United States and Canada to change the culture of health care through integrative medicine, establishing a new standard of care focusing on the whole person -- mind, body and spirit.
“This is Kathi’s second nomination for this prestigious award,” said Jon S. Abramson, M.D., chairman of the department of pediatrics. “She is well respected and well known for her work in complementary and alternative therapies for children. We are lucky to have such a valuable resource in this community.”
The recipient of this year’s Bravewell Leadership Award will be announced at a benefit in New York City on Nov. 10. Hosted by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, the gala will salute all five outstanding finalists.
Kemper is the Caryl J Guth Chair for Holistic and Integrative Medicine and professor of pediatrics, public health sciences, and family and community medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Kemper founded the Council on Bioenergetic Healing, the Council on Mind-Body Medicine, the Committee for Holistic and Integrative Medical Education, and the Herb and Dietary Supplement Task Force at Wake Forest Baptist. In addition, Kemper founded the Section for Holistic and Integrative Medicine within the American Academy of Pediatrics.
During her career, Kemper has written more than 100 articles and chapters in pediatric literature and served as the chair of research and president of the Ambulatory Pediatric Association. She created and evaluated the first residency education in holistic pediatrics, the first faculty development program for pediatrics in holistic medicine, and an elective in Therapeutic and Healing Touch for medical students. Her book, “The Holistic Pediatrician,” serves as a key reference for families and pediatric educators and clinicians.
The Bravewell Collaborative established The Bravewell Leadership Award in 2002 to recognize leadership of those healthcare providers creating sustained progress in integrative medicine.
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Media Contact: Rae Bush (336) 716-6878, rush@wfubmc.edu; Shannon Koontz (336) 716-2415, shkoontz@wfubmc.edu; or Karen Richardson (336) 716-4453, krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu.
About Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center: Wake Forest Baptist is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Brenner Children’s Hospital. It is licensed to operate 1,187 acute care, rehabilitation, psychiatry and long-term care beds and is consistently ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report. Brenner Children’s was named one of the top children’s hospitals in the nation by Child magazine.
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