The annual award is Virginia Mason Medical Center’s (VMMC) highest physician honor.
Catherine Potts, MD, FACP, chair of Pacific Northwest University’s (PNWU’s) Board of Trustees, recently received the James Tate Mason Award from Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC). This prestigious award recognizes the physician of the year at Virginia Mason and serves as the medical center’s highest physician honor.
“Dr. Potts is a highly respected clinician and recognized leader in medical education,” explained Dr. Michael Lawler, president of PNWU. “We are honored by her service as chair of the PNWU Board of Trustees.”
Dr. Potts has practiced at Virginia Mason since 1993 and served in multiple leadership roles, most recently as the Chief of the Primary Care department from 2010-2016 where she oversaw the alignment and integration of primary care services throughout the organization – including the Seattle Main Campus Section of General Internal Medicine, Pediatrics Sections, and Virginia Mason’s eight regional medical center locations.
“Dr. Potts is widely recognized as a truly outstanding physician,” said John Corman, MD, vice president and chief clinical officer for Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, in a statement announcing the selection. “She exemplifies exceptional professional competency, teamwork, peer recognition, personal values and leadership.”
After being nominated by her peers, Dr. Potts was ultimately selected as this year’s James Tate Mason Award recipient by an anonymous committee appointed by VMMC’s CEO, as truly outstanding, and exemplifying exceptional professional commitment and competency.
“I feel a deep sense of gratitude to all my colleagues who I have worked with for over 28 years,”
Dr. Potts explained. “I stand on the shoulders of giants at VM. We have some remarkable clinicians, and to be considered in their company was quite humbling.” Going forward, she hopes that her experiences as a physician and executive leader will continue to help her lead PNWU’s Board.
“I hope my experience can continue to serve the University as we grow both our academic programs and our role as a community leader,” she added.