Recently retired executive director of the Alaska State Medical Association (ASMA), James J. "Jim" Jordan, received the Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association (AMA) during AMA's semi-annual policy making meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Nov. 10.
The award is given out by AMA to an executive "who has contributed substantially to the goals and ideals of the medical profession … over a significant term of service."
As an Alaska resident Jordan has served on many committees, commissions and boards throughout the state. He was involved in the enactment of the Patients' Bill of Rights, the Physicians Joint Negotiation Law and the Prompt Pay Law in Alaska. Jordan is one of the founding members of the Alaska Electronic Health Record Alliance and he was instrumental in the implantation of medical professional liability reforms.
In nominating Jordan for the award past ASMA President Mary Ann Foland, M.D., of Anchorage wrote:
Jim Jordan has been a tireless advocate for the physicians and patients of Alaska. He brought our association from the brink of insolvency to a stable and effective organization. Without his leadership, I truly believe we would not have been successful in our tort reform efforts. His institutional knowledge of that effort is unparalleled.
He has exemplary leadership skills and an understanding of political, legal, insurance, and regulatory issues.
Jim is a dedicated advocate for medicine, a tireless educator, a mentor, and an articulate consensus builder. He has the respect of all and the friendship of many in our community.
AMA was founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897. It is the largest association of physicians and medical students in the Untied States. The association's mission is to promote the art and science of medicine through fellowship and learning, to promote public health and lobby for legislation that will benefit physicians and patients.