Richard D. Wood Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is named for Richard D. Wood, Sr., who served as a member of CHOP’s Board of Trustees for 45 years.

When Children’s Hospital was incorporated in 1858 — three years after its founding — the name G.A. Wood was among the signers. Thus began a family tradition of service to the nation’s first children’s hospital.

Richard D. Wood, Sr., a descendant of G.A. Wood, became the first president of Children’s Hospital. He joined the board in 1950 and played a key role in the Hospital’s development into one of the finest pediatric medical centers in the nation and the world.

Long active in children’s healthcare on a national level, Wood served on the board of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, Inc. and created the association’s “Study to Determine the Uniqueness of Children’s Hospitals.”

In June 1989, Children’s Hospital’s new pediatric ambulatory care center was dedicated in honor of Richard D. Wood, Sr., and the facility has become known as the Wood Center.

Today, Richard D. Wood, Jr. is an Emeritus Trustee and carries forth the Wood family’s commitment to the health and well-being of children.

Each year, the Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus with significant medical and scientific achievements that distinguish the alumnus from his or her peers.

2023 Winner

William P. Potsic, MD, served the CHOP community for 34 illustrious years until his retirement in 2008. He is an Attending Physician Emeritus of CHOP’s Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology and Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.

Throughout his remarkable career at CHOP, he played a critical role in the development and expansion of the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology. A dedicated and skilled surgeon, and ss the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for CHOP’s Department of Surgery for 21 years, he was directly involved in the training and lines of succession in each of the surgical divisions. As a result of his impact, CHOP created the William P. Potsic Endowed Chair in Pediatric Otolaryngology and Childhood Communication.

Dr. Potsic is deeply passionate about mentorship and assisting in the growth and development of the next generations of physicians. Throughout his career, he was known among younger colleagues as a willing partner to junior faculty to ensure promotions and career development. In recognition of his generous mentorship of so many at CHOP, the Department of Surgery established the William P. Potsic, MD Mentor Award in 2016.

Dr. Potsic attended the University of Illinois for his undergraduate degree and Emory University’s School of Medicine for his MD. He is passionate about the business of medicine and went on to receive a Master of Medical Management from Tulane University, among many other certificates and degrees that serve as evidence of his dedication to lifelong learning and the betterment of the medical profession.

Past Awardees

2022 — Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, MD
2021 — Paul A. Offit, MD
2020 — Linton A. Whitaker, MD
2019 — N. Scott Adzick, MD
2018 — Alan Cohen, MD
2017 — James A. Katowitz, MD
2016 — Stephen Ludwig, MD
2015 — Elaine H. Zackai, MD
2014 — Robert A. Zimmerman, MD
2013 — James O’Neill, MD
2012 — Anna Meadows, MD
2011 — Guilio D’Angio, MD
2010 — Shirley Bonnem
2009 — Walter J. Gamble, MD
2008 — Lucy B. Rorke-Adams, MD
2007 — Balu H. Athreya, MD
2006 — John J. Downes, MD
2005 — Gary R. Fleisher, MD
2004 — James A. Stockman III, MD
2003 — Audrey E. Evans, MD
2002 — C. Everett Koop, MD, ScD
2001 — Stanley A. Plotkin, MD
2000 — Patrick S. Pasquariello, Jr., MD
1999 — No award granted
1998 — No award granted
1997 — Louise Schnaufer, MD
1996 — Sidney Friedman, MD
1995 — Patricia F. Borns, MD
1994 — No award granted
1993 — Leonard Bachman, MD
1992 — Robert Kaye, M
1991 — Albert W. Kitts, MD
1990 — Dale G. Johnson, MD
1989 — T. F. McNair Scott, MD
1988 — Richard D. Wood, Sr.