The 2023 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine is on Tuesday, April 25, 2022, and is presented by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation & the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University.
This year’s recipients are Addison Brown and Allison Lindsey.
Addison Brown is a fourth-year medical student at the prestigious Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Central Florida, where she majored in Health Sciences. Throughout her medical school journey, Addison has shown solid dedication to addressing social determinants of health through her involvement in research and quality improvement projects. For example, she has worked to improve screening rates for colorectal cancer and COVID vaccination rates in underserved communities through FIU’s NeighborhoodHELP program. Additionally, she has conducted nationwide investigations on the association between social determinants of health and the monitoring of diabetes control.
Addison is a proud member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and serves as the co-president of FIU’s Christian Medical and Dental Association chapter. She is also a lead editor of Eloquor, FIU’s medical humanities journal. Recently, Addison successfully matched at the Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Family Medicine Residency Program in Jacksonville, Florida, where she eagerly anticipates reuniting with her family. During residency, Addison is determined to continue her work with underserved and marginalized populations and pursue an area of concentration in lifestyle medicine. Her career goals are centered around community and preventive medicine, with a steadfast commitment to reducing healthcare disparities.
Allison Lindsey, originally from Winter Park, Florida, had a childhood filled with thrilling adventures. She built and raced soap box derby cars with her father, excelled in competitive swimming, and dedicated her time to volunteering in her community. Allison was known for her inquisitive nature and passion for reading mystery and true crime novels from a young age.
Her educational journey led her to Pfeiffer University, where she pursued a double major in Biology and Pre-Medical Studies and a Chemistry minor. She then earned her Master of Medical Science from the University of South Florida and enrolled in the renowned FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami.
While at FIU, Allison’s commitment to her community and her passion for medicine shone through as she served in leadership roles, volunteered as a tutor and mentor, and pursued her dream of becoming a medical examiner. Her dedication paid off as she successfully matched into the prestigious pathology program at the University of North Carolina Hospitals, where she will continue to pursue her goals and make a positive impact in the field of pathology.
The Robert Kemper M.D., PhD. Award for Professionalism in Medicine is named in memory of Dr. Robert Kemper, who exemplified the highest qualities of medical professionalism until his life was cut short by Cancer. This award is presented to a recipient who has demonstrated:
- Respect for patients, faculty, staff members, and peers.
- Altruism, compassion, and empathy towards patients.
- A sense of commitment, duty, responsibility, and dedication to the ethical practice of the medical profession.
- Comportment, courtesy, and exemplary personal demeanor becoming of a physician.
- An ability to convey hope, be a healer of patients, be a team builder, and foster harmony in the group and the workplace.
The Key Biscayne Community Foundation underwrites the award and is made possible thanks to Dr. Kemper’s grateful patients, friends, and family contributions.