RUTLAND – Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) on Monday, Feb. 26, announced the recipients of the 2023 Rutland Regional Medical Center and Community Physician and Advanced Practice Provider of the Year awards.
To be nominated for an award, individuals must meet the following criteria: Demonstrate dignity and respect toward patients and staff; exhibit excellence in clinical care; and serve as a role model professionally and personally within the health care system and community.
These awardees were selected from more than 30 nominees, representing a diverse group of exceptional individuals who represent and reflect the quality of the medical staff. Awards are given to two physicians and two advanced practice providers representing RRMC and the Rutland area community.
“The purpose of these awards is to recognize physicians and advanced practice providers whose contributions to our community, patients, and staff represent the highest ideals in health care,” said Dr. Philip Lapp, vice president of medical affairs at RRMC. “It is truly an honor for these providers to be recognized by their colleagues and staff.”
These annual awards were created in memory of Dr. Emelie Munson Perkins, who served the Rutland community as a physician, employee, and volunteer.
Physician of the Year: Zita Ficko, MD, Marble Valley Urology
Dr. Ficko joined RRMC in 2020 as a urologist physician. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics and molecular and cell biology at Yale University and a master’s in international business from University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia. Her medical degree is from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She completed her internship in general surgery and residency in urology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Ficko is board certified in urology by the American Board of Urology.
Dr. Ficko was recognized by her peers as a passionate and collegial physician who is a master in her field, submissions highlighted her clinical humanity, competence, and cooperation.
Advanced Practice Provider of the Year: Leonard DeLorenzo III, PA-C, Foley Cancer Center
DeLorenzo is an oncology/hematology physician assistant at the Foley Cancer Center. He joined RRMC in 2010. He received his bachelor’s in science from Saint Michael’s College and a bachelor’s in health science at Duke University. He is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Leonard DeLorenzo was nominated for his professionalism, integrity and work ethic and he is seen as an astute clinician and a shining star among his peers. DeLorenzo, who sits on the ethics committee and pharmacy and therapeutics committees of the medical staff, is appreciated for his intuition, calm demeanor, and gentle manner.
Primary Care Physician of the Year: Carl Beckler, MD, Community Health
Dr. Beckler is a family medicine physician at Community Health’s Mettowee Family Clinic. He joined RRMC in 1990 and is a member of the RRMC affiliate staff. He received a medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals and completed his family medicine residency at Lancaster General Hospital. He is board certified with the American Board of Family Medicine.
When nominated, Dr. Beckler was recognized for going above and beyond for his patients, and always making himself open and accessible for consultation. His mentorship, counsel, and encouragement were attributed to the growth of the providers in his practice.
Advanced Practice Provider of the Year: Robin Myers, DNP, Community Health
Robin Myers is a family nurse practitioner, and medical director of Community Health Brandon. She is also a member of the RRMC affiliate staff. Myers received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Vermont, a master’s in adult nurse practitioner from Russell Sage College, and a doctorate in nurse practice from UMass Amherst. She is dually board certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in family and adult medicine.
She started her healthcare career at Porter Medical Center as a unit clerk and later earned her degree as a registered nurse. She worked in various roles at RRMC including in the ICU, case management, and as a certified diabetes nurse educator for many years. She joined Community Health in 2004.
Myers was nominated for her collaboration, compassion, and the leadership skills she shows in relation to her patients.
