Sentara RMH Physicians Honored on Doctor’s Day with 2021 Golden Stethoscope Award

March 30, 2021

Aklilu Degene, MD Earl King, MD


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Neil Mowbray Brand Engagement Consultant 540-564-7205; 540-689-1000 nwmowbra@sentara.com
Sentara RMH Physicians Honored on Doctor’s Day with 2021 Golden Stethoscope Award
HARRISONBURG, VA – Sentara Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists Aklilu Degene, MD, and Earl King, MD, have been named the recipients of the 13^th annual Sentara RMH Golden Stethoscope Award. The award recognizes outstanding physicians on the Sentara RMH Medical Staff who demonstrate excellence in patient care, customer service, communication and teamwork. The award is announced annually as part of the hospital’s recognition of National Doctors Day on March 30. “We have many talented physicians on our medical staff, and a number of them were nominated for the Golden Stethoscope Award,” said Edward Sandy, MD, executive director, Specialty Services, Sentara Blue Ridge Region. “But it seems especially commendatory that the award this year went to pulmonary and critical care physicians who were, and are, very much in the thick of our battle with COVID-19. Each of them is already highly regarded by other members of the caregiving team; the award highlights that high level of respect they have already attained among their co-workers and peers.” Dr. Degene joined the Sentara RMH medical staff in 2005, and Dr. King joined in 2017. Typically, the Golden Stethoscope Award goes to a single physician. However, this year both critical care unit (CCU) physicians received so many nominations it was decided to give two awards, especially in light of the high quality of care Dr. Degene and Dr. King have provided throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in the CCU, as well as across other hospital units. With nearly 450 physicians on the medical staff, Sentara RMH received 130 award nominations this year. All hospital staff members, as well as staff in the local independent medical practices, can submit nominations. --End-- About Sentara Sentara Healthcare celebrates nearly 130 years in pursuit of its mission – we improve health every day. Sentara is an integrated, not-for-profit system of 12 hospitals in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, including a Level I trauma center, the nationally-ranked Sentara Heart Hospital, two orthopedic hospitals, accredited Sentara Cancer Network and the Sentara Neurosciences Institute. The Sentara family also includes four medical groups, Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance and ground medical transport, senior care, home care and hospice, nursing rehabilitation centers, ambulatory outpatient campuses, advanced imaging and diagnostic centers, a clinically integrated network, the Sentara College of Health Sciences and the Optima Health Plan serving 450,000 members in Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio. With nearly 28,000 employees, Sentara is strategically focused on clinical quality and safety, innovation and creating an extraordinary healthcare experience for our patients and members.