MAG Executive Receives AMA Achievement Award

David A. Cook, the executive director of the Medical Association of Georgia, received the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Medical Executive Meritorious Achievement Award during AMA’s Interim Meeting in Houston today. The award is given to a county, state or national medical specialty society executive who has provided exemplary and exceptional service that benefits and supports physicians in caring for their patients.

“Considering the deep and talented pool of candidates, this is a proud day for the Medical Association of Georgia,” says MAG President Gary C. Richter, M.D. “David Cook absolutely deserves this honor for what he’s done for patients and physicians in the state.”

Dr. Richter says Cook was instrumental in passing a comprehensive tort reform law in Georgia in 2005, which has resulted in a better practice environment for physicians in the state. Dr. Richter also says that Cook led the way in reforming the Certificate of Need (CON) system in Georgia to expand the definition of single specialty to general surgery in 2008, lowering physician costs and enhancing patient access to quality health care. Dr. Richter explains that MAG has employed an integrated legal advocacy program to effect change in the managed care arena under Cook’s leadership. And he says that Cook oversees a MAG program that has produced the equivalent of more than $30 million in third-party payer savings for physicians in Georgia in 2009.

“His work ethic and his dedication to the profession of medicine are unparalleled,” says MAG Immediate Past President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., who nominated Cook for the award. “The bottom line is that he has delivered exceptional value for physicians in Georgia.”

Joseph P. Bailey Jr., M.D., the chairman of MAG’s delegation to the AMA, believes that, “David Cook has an abiding interest in and dedication to medicine that is truly beyond what could ever be expected of a non-physician.”

Cook has been MAG’s executive director since 2001. With more than 6,000 members, MAG is the leading voice for physicians in Georgia. Go to www.mag.org for additional information.
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