Hammons, a 2025 Patient and Family Choice Award recipient, was honored for her compassion.

The online magazine called Philips “a visionary leader in academic radiology whose impact spans clinical excellence, operational innovation and educational advancement.”

The AECM was formed in 2021 to “honor exemplary clinicians who combine humanism, professionalism and a passion for patient care with a scholarly approach to improving patient health and establish a community of leaders to promote clinical excellence.”

The distinction places her among the top 0.05% of scholars worldwide in her specialty, hypertension.

For Rush, the most meaningful part of her journey has been the people — the children, their families, and the faculty, staff and trainees with whom she has worked over the years. 

The Tullahoma, Tennessee, native turned 60 this year — something that would’ve seemed like an impossibility when he was growing up with a neurological condition.