Convivium

Get Tickets

The 214th Annual Meeting of the Rhode Island Medical Society will take place on Thursday, September 24 at the Squantum Association (947 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence). Tickets are now available and can be ordered either online or by sending a check to Rhode Island Medical Society, 225 Dyer Street, 2nd Floor, Providence, RI 02903. Checks must be mailed by August 20.

Guest Speaker

250 YEARS OF MEDICINE IN RHODE ISLAND
In celebration of Rhode Island’s 250th anniversary, former Rhode Island Medical Society Executive Director Newell E. Warde, PhD, will reflect on the Society’s history, highlighting the physicians, milestones, and defining moments that helped shape medicine in Rhode Island.

2026 Award Recipients

We would like to warmly congratulate the nine recipients of this year’s awards.

Dr. Charles L. Hill Award
Kenneth A. Williams, MD (Adult Medical Director, LifePACT Transport Team)
Established in 1981, this award recognizes a RIMS member physician for leadership and service. Dr. Charles L. Hill, for whom this award is named, was president of the Medical Society 1979-1980. As one of the highest honors bestowed by RIMS, this award celebrates a physician who has made significant contributions to science, education, and/or patient care in Rhode Island, and has substantially advanced the goals of the medical profession. Recipients must demonstrate a significant impact on the medical community, strong character, and leadership with equity and inclusion.

Halifax Award
Caroline Troise, MD (Anchor Medical Associates / Rhode Island Free Clinic)
Given in recognition of outstanding medical volunteerism, the Halifax Award is named in commemoration of the Rhode Island medical and nursing communities’ swift and generous response to the catastrophic explosion that devastated the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the morning of December 6, 1917, causing 11,000 instantaneous casualties, including 2,000 deaths. Recipients of this award demonstrate outstanding citizenship and medical volunteerism, a commitment to serving the public good, and engagement and fostering involvement of physicians in community activities.

Recognition for Humanism in Medicine Award
Leslie Robinson-Bostom, MD (Brown Health Dermatology)
This award of the Rhode Island Medical Society was established in 2015 and is given for humanism in medicine, in recognition of a career and calling that medicine is at once the most scientific of the humanities in the most humanistic of the sciences. This award honors recipients who exemplify the qualities of care and compassion in the pursuit of patient care and/or teaching and mentorship. Recipients demonstrate the humanistic qualities of the patient provider relationship and serve as an example to others.

Dr. Herbert Rakatansky Award
Fadya El Rayess, MD, MPH (Brown Department of Family Medicine/Care New England)
This award was established by vote of the council in 2008 to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through exemplary professionalism and/or humanitarian service in the field of medicine. The first recipient was Herbert Rakatansky, MD, on September 27, 2008. Recipients of this award exemplify integrity, compassion, and a dedication to improving the lives of others, often in challenging environments or with underserved populations.

Dr. John Clarke Award
Steve DeToy (Former Director of Government & Public Affairs, RIMS)
This award was established in 2014 and is given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Public Health through outstanding civic leadership and service. It recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on the healthcare landscape in Rhode Island through strong leadership and commitment.

4 Under 40 Award
Gillian Chase, MD (Woman and Infants Hospital)
Charles Hackett, MD, FAAFP (Care New England/Brown University Dept of Family Medicine)
Maria Koenigs, MD (University Otolaryngology)
Julia Shinnick, MD (Care New England)
‘4 under 40’ award recognizes Physicians practicing in Rhode Island who are early in their career journeys and demonstrate a strong commitment to the profession and impact on the community. Recipients show leadership in patient care, education, research, and/or advocacy. This award recognizes the impact they have made in Rhode Island and their potential.

Please join us in honoring these award recipients at Convivium on September 24.

See Past Award Winners

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