Nesbitt awarded by American Hospital Association for advancing telemedicine

April 13, 2012

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 © UC Regents
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.

UC Davis Health System is improving lives and transforming health care by providing excellent patient care, conducting groundbreaking research, fostering innovative, interprofessional education, and creating dynamic, productive partnerships with the community. The academic health system includes one of the country's best medical schools, a 631-bed acute-care teaching hospital, an 800-member physician's practice group and the new Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. It is home to a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, an international neurodevelopmental institute, a stem cell institute and a comprehensive children's hospital. Other nationally prominent centers focus on advancing telemedicine, improving vascular care, eliminating health disparities and translating research findings into new treatments for patients. Together, they make UC Davis a hub of innovation that is transforming health for all. For more information, visit healthsystem.ucdavis.edu.