New Orleans — Richard L. Stennes, MD, FACEP, of La Jolla, California, and Bemidji, Minnesota, has received the highest honor bestowed by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) during its annual meeting in New Orleans. The John G. Wiegenstein Leadership Award is given to a current or past national leader of ACEP in recognition of outstanding contribution to the organization.
Dr. Stennes previously served as president of ACEP and two terms as a director of the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He also for many years has been ACEP’s delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA) and an active member of the AMA’s Section Council. These leadership responsibilities were in addition to his involvement in national ACEP and California ACEP initiatives.
“Dr. Stennes has earned the respect and gratitude of his colleagues throughout the house of medicine for his dedicated work over the last 30 years,” said Dr. Brian Keaton, president of ACEP. “There are only a handful of physicians in the history of the specialty of emergency medicine who have made a contribution equal to his.”
Dr. Stennes led ACEP’s efforts to establish a strong Federal Government Affairs Committee and create the National Emergency Medicine Political Action Committee. At the state level, he spearheaded California ACEP’s advocacy efforts and established EM/PAC, now one of the most successful political action committees in California.
Dr. Stennes enjoyed a 30-year career in emergency medicine and medical politics in San Diego. Now in semi-retirement, he remains busy by practicing emergency medicine in his hometown of Bemidji, MN; working the family resort in Minnesota; and cruising as a cruise ship physician.
Dr. Stennes is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Walter T. Edwards Meritorious Service Award, the Emergency Medicine Residents Association Award of Appreciation, ACEP’s James D. Mills Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Medicine Award, the Political Leadership Award, the California ACEP House of Medicine Award and the University of Minnesota Medical Alumni’s Recognition Award.
Dr. Stennes received his bachelor’s degree and medical degree from the University of Minnesota. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of California, Irvine. He graduated from the Ensign 1915 Program of the Annapolis Naval Academy and served as a battalion surgeon with the first marine division in Viet Nam and as general medical officer at the U.S. Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego.
“I am honored to receive this award from ACEP,” said Dr. Stennes. “I must credit my lovely wife of 34 years, Nilla, for all her support, which has been essential to the successes we have enjoyed.”