Virginia T. Latham, M.D., of Old Littleton Road, a physician whose contributions to organized medicine span more than three decades, was awarded a Presidential Citation by the Massachusetts Medical Society, Friday, Dec. 2.
The rare honor—hers is only the second such citation given by the society—was presented to Latham by society President James S. Gessner, M.D., “in recognition of a career in medicine exemplary of the highest traditions, ideals, and aspirations of the Massachusetts Medical Society.”
Massachusetts Medical Society officers present Dr. Virginia Latham with a Presidential Citation for distinguished service. With Latham, from left, MMS President James Gessner, M.D., Vice President Alain Chaoui, M.D., President-elect Henry Dorkin, M.D. (Courtesy photo)
“She has served our society in so many ways with the utmost grace, humility, and distinction,” said Gessner in presenting the award.
A member of the society since 1983, Latham has been a member of the House of Delegates and the board of trustees, a member and chair of many committees and task forces, president of the Middlesex Central District Medical Society, and a delegate to the American Medical Association.
In 2000, she became president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, only the third woman elected to lead the society.
Under her presidency, the society made its mark in the area of patient safety, with the passage of a landmark Patient Bill of Rights, as well as providing strong support for patient privacy and confidentiality, as new regulations at the time—the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—came into being. She also co-chaired the search committee for a new editor for The New England Journal of Medicine, an activity that resulted in the appointment of the current editor, Dr. Jeffrey Drazen.
Gessner noted that as a president of the society, as a member of the Committee on Women in Medicine, and throughout her membership, Latham has served as “an inspiration and role model to all physicians and those contemplating a career in medicine.”
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Boston University with a B.A. in biology and chemistry, Latham received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1981.
She has also served as president of the Massachusetts branch of the American Medical Women’s Association, as a board member of Partners Community Healthcare, and as president of the medical staff at Emerson Hospital.
