Nesbitt awarded by American Hospital Association for advancing telemedicine

Thomas Nesbitt, Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Technologies and Alliances, and director, Center for Health and Technology, has received the Justin Ford Kimball Innovators Award from the American Hospital Association. Nesbitt also is a professor of family and community medicine.

Tom Nesbitt

The award recognizes people and organizations that have made outstanding contributions in health-care delivery and financing.

"Dr. Nesbitt's passion for improving health care in underserved communities has had a powerful influence on the evolution of telehealth in California and the nation," said Ann Madden Rice, CEO of UC Davis Medical Center. "His contributions are especially important as the nation focuses on ensuring all Americans have equal access to quality health."

Recognized by the American Telemedicine Association with the 2010 President's Individual Award, Nesbitt stands out as a champion of promoting and advocating for telemedicine and telehealth. By spreading and establishing telemedicine, Nesbitt has helped underserved populations and rural and remote areas have greater access to medical services.

"Dr. Nesbitt has been instrumental in advancing telemedicine in California and across the nation," said AHA president and CEO Rich Umbdenstock. "A physician leader and innovator, Dr. Nesbitt has provided visionary leadership by greatly extending the reach and capabilities our field through telehealth, public health and disaster planning."

Nesbitt served on the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and the Joint Advisory Committee on Communications Capabilities of Emergency Medical and Public Health Care Facilities, reporting to the U.S. Congress 9/11 Commission. Nesbitt also worked to establish the Rural-PRograms in Medical Education (PRIME) program to train physicians in small, underserved communities. He advocated for funding to expand the state's medical education and telemedicine capabilities, most notably in a successful 2006 ballot measure.

Nesbitt earned his medical degree from UC Davis and was a resident in the Spokane Family Medicine Residency Program, an affiliate of the University of Washington's School of Medicine. Additionally, he has a master's degree in public health from the University of Washington in Seattle.