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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: October 15, 2003
 
DOUG N. CERF HONORED BY MEDICAL BOARD
 

Scottsdale, Ariz. -- In a ceremony held October 14, 2003 at the Arizona Medical Board’s offices, Executive Director Barry A. Cassidy, Ph.D., P.A.-C presented the first-ever annual recognition award named for former Executive Director Douglas N. Cerf. Recipients of this year’s award are: Amanda Diehl, Arizona Medical Board Assistant Director; Randi Orchard, Chief Financial Officer; and Gary Oglesby, Chief Information Officer.

“These three employees have made tremendous contributions to the agency,” said Cassidy during the presentation, “and rarely is an agency’s senior staff recognized for their leadership. On any given occasion, I can count on them to give 110% of their time, dedication and knowledge.”

Known for his late nights at the office and visionary style, Doug Cerf served as Executive Director of the then named Arizona Board of Medical Examiners from 1981 until his death in 1994. Prior to earning the position as Executive Director, he served as the Board’s Associate Executive Director since 1977.

In a letter written by Steve Nash, Executive Director of the Pima County Medical Society, he stated that Doug Cerf held the reins of the Arizona Board of Medical Examiners through a difficult transition – moving away from a “professional held” body to one that serves the state. “He did this with grace and compassion,” said Nash, “but he did it successfully.”

Dr. Vinton G. Cerf, brother of the late Doug Cerf, was present on behalf of the Cerf family to recognize the recipients of the award. Dr. Cerf is the Senior Vice President of Internet Architecture and Technology for MCI. Dr. Cerf spoke to room full of Board staff and commended them on continuing the Board’s technological infrastructure envisioned by his late brother. He also noted the Arizona Medical Board’s ability to bring consumer services on-line.

Internationally recognized as the “Father of the Internet,” Dr. Cerf is the co-designer of the TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the Internet. In 1994, People magazine recognized him as one of that year’s “25 Most Intriguing People” and in December 1997, Dr. Cerf and his partner, Robert E. Kahn received the U.S. National Medal of Technology for founding and developing the Internet.

Dr. Cerf stated that he hoped to spread the word about the Arizona Medical Board’s significant technological advances in a later meeting with Governor Napolitano.

The Arizona Medical Board is composed of eight physician members and four public members, including one licensed nurse. The Board is responsible for licensing and disciplining over 15,000 medical doctors in Arizona. For more information on the Board or to obtain information on a licensee, see the Board’s website at http://www.azmdboard.org.