Wawrzewski and his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Wawrzewski , a Bolivian-trained dentist. Photo source: hospitalsofhope.org
Mike Wawrzewski, a physician assistant at Wesley Medical Center, was honored Tuesday with the corporate hospital's highest honor, the national Frist Humanitarian Award.
Established in 1971, the award honors outstanding individuals for their humanitarian and volunteer activities, and Wawrzewski more than fits the bill, hospital officials said.
Wawrzewski is the founder of Hospitals of Hope, a Wichita-based charitable organization that arranges medical mission trips and supports health care
worldwide by gathering, repairing and distributing donated medical equipment to medical facilities in third-world countries, officials said.
According to Hospitals of Hope, Wawrzewski founded the organization in 1998 after taking multiple short-term mission trips to medically undeveloped countries starting in 1992. The overwhelming needs existing in these impoverished countries moved him to develop a local organization that has acted as a medical clearinghouse for over 32 million dollars in surplus medical supplies to 23 countries.
“The Wesley family is extremely proud of Mike,” Wesley chief executive Hugh Tappan said in a statement. “The clinics and hospitals Mike established in Bolivia and Africa have served well over 100,000 people for free – an amazing example of intensive caring.”
The Frist Humanitarian Awards are given annually in recognition of the caring spirit and philanthropic work of the late Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr., a founder of HCA, hospital officials said.
Employees, physicians and volunteers who demonstrate commitment and dedication to caregiving and humanitarianism are selected from around the country and honorees are recognized at the local level. The three national recipients are selected from nearly 300 local honorees.
Wawrzewski, a native of Garnett and a graduate of Wichita State University’s physician assistant program, said he was honored by the recognition.
“It is humbling to consider that a great organization with deep roots in Wichita and across the nation has chosen to recognize my efforts,” Wawrzewski said in a statement. “This award also honors the efforts of thousands of Kansans who have helped further my mission to change the world one life at a time.”
The award includes a $5,000 donation to the charity of the recipient's choice and $5,000 in cash, hospital officials said. Wawrzewski also will be honored at HCA headquarters in Nashville on April 20.
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