CCMS presented the 2011 Physician Champion Awards for Community Service to two of its members during the Fall Membership Meeting held September 8th at the Champaign Country Club.

Awards were presented to Dr. Roger Ewald and Dr. Alan Peterson, both of whom volunteer at Frances Nelson Health Center in Champaign, a satellite clinic of the Community Health Improvement Center in Decatur, a non-profit organization. The health center provides quality primary care including, but not limited to, pediatrics, prenatal, acute and chronic illness and health education. The center also assists patients in obtaining prescriptions through several programs. Most of the center’s patients are uninsured, underinsured, or on Medicaid or Medicare. Spanish translators are on staff.

Dr. Roger Ewald (right) accepts the 2011 Physician Champion Award for Community Service from CCMS President, Dr. Sherfield Dawson.

Dr. Ewald, an ophthalmologist, volunteers one day a week at the Frances Nelson Health Center doing eye exams for all ages, from routine optical and glasses prescriptions to diabetic eye exams. He established the Ophthalmology Clinic at the center in October of 2003 helping obtain quality equipment and recruiting an optometrist. He retired from practice in 2000 after 30 years at Carle Clinic. During retirement he has also volunteered for medical missions with Lighthouse for Christ to East Africa in 2000, and with I Care International to Guatemala in 2008. Dr. Ewald graduated from St. Louis University Medical School in 1960.

Dr. Alan Peterson accepts the Physician Champion Award for Community Service from CCMS President, Sherfield Dawson.

Dr. Peterson, an internist, has been volunteering at Frances Nelson Health Center since 2006 seeing patients one morning a week to “fill up his time” after retiring from Carle Hospital where he had worked from 1964 until 2003. He treats mainly uninsured adults with chronic illnesses at the center. After retiring from Carle, he continued helping with pre-ops at the hospital until 2007. He also volunteers one evening a week at the Champaign County Christian Health Center. Dr. Peterson graduated from University of Minnesota College of Medicine in 1958.

The 9-11 Series Physician Champion Awards are given annually to recognize Champaign County Medical Society members who generously volunteer their time and skills in service to the greater community.