Ann Minnick, Ph.D., R.N.
John Tarpley, M.D., was awarded the 2006 American College of Surgeons/Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative Surgical Volunteerism Award at the ACS meeting in Chicago last week.
The award is given annually “in recognition of individuals who make significant contributions to surgical care through organized volunteer activities.”
Tarpley, professor of Surgery, program director for General Surgery at VUMC and associate chief of Surgical Service at Nashville's Veterans Affairs Hospital, served as a medical missionary in Nigeria for many years and continues to make annual volunteer visits to that country. Due to his influence, several other Vanderbilt faculty, residents and students have also worked at the Ogbomoso site in Nigeria.