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10/20/14 news article

Dayton Children's honors four physicians with prestigious awards

Dayton Children’s is celebrating physicians who have put the well-being of children first in all they do.  Four physicians were honored with prestigious awards.

Arthur Pickoff, MD, was named winner of the Wallace B. Taggart Award, the highest physician honor.  It is given to someone who lives up to the standards set by its namesake, Dr. Wallace B. Taggart, who worked alongside Dr. Alan Shafer and Elsie Mead to establish Dayton Children’s in 1967. Dr. Pickoff was chosen because of his efforts to utilize research to improve the lives of children and his commitment to medical education.

Dr. Pickoff is a cardiologist, the chair of pediatrics at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and a member of the board of trustees at Dayton Children’s. He has had a dramatic impact since his arrival at Dayton Children’s in 1999.

An avid researcher and writer himself, he encouraged others to follow in his footsteps. Now Dayton Children’s is represented by a presenting physician at every major pediatric meeting in the country.  The hospital has secured more than $3.5 million in grants for research since he arrived and expanded research capability.

Dr. Pickoff is inspiring the next generation of doctors. At Wright State last year, a full 25 percent of the class wanted to be pediatricians – that’s two and a half times the national average.

Dr. Pickoff shares, “I think we can be whatever we want to be at Dayton Children’s. We think of ourselves as a small children’s hospital in a small community, but just for fun, I want everyone to know that Rochester, Minnesota, where the famous Mayo Clinic is, has a population of 30 thousand less than Dayton and they are also about an hour and a half from major medical centers. So if they can be as great as they are, maybe we can be the next Mayo Clinic in this part of the world.”

Three physicians were also recognized with the Alan B. Shafer, MD, Distinguished Service Award.

Daniel Lacey, MD, PhD, has been at Dayton Children's as a child neurologist since 1985 and served as medical director for 19 years and as a Wright State associate professor of neurology and pediatrics for 29.

Dr. Lacey was recognized by his patients as being one of the Best Doctors in America five years in a row. During his tenure, he expanded the pediatric neurology program in terms of outreach and services offered.

He has developed a chronic pain management clinic that allows patients 24 hour access to his team and is a lead physician for concussion clinics and outreach in the community.

William Matre, MD, has been in the emergency department for almost 35 years, an amazing tenure given that it is such a stressful specialty.

His steady demeanor provides a "sea of calm" for patients, parents and staff who look to him for guidance and leadership when difficult situations arise. His abilities have also earned him top mentor recognition from the residents in emergency medicine.

He commits to working late night and overnight shifts, as well as holidays, and yet never loses his sense of humor – often offering visitors a snack from his makeshift bed pan candy dish.

Thomas Sorauf, MD, has been in private practice for 42 years at South Dayton Pediatrics and for most of that also served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Wright State's Boonshoft School of Medicine.

Dr. Sorauf has a particular interest in developmental concerns in children – a great many of the children he sees have special needs including physical limitations and behavioral issues.

Fellow doctors regard him as a role model, demonstrating extraordinary compassion, devotion and dedication to the care of children.

For more information, contact: 
Stacy Porter 
Communications specialist 
Phone: 937-641-3666