Dr. Paeglow is an ideal recipient for
this award because he has distinguished himself as an excellent
physician, a caring person and an inspiration to medical
students and residents. He has committed himself to the
underserved populations throughout the world by leading 19
medical missions for the International Accelerated Missions
(IAM), with dozens of medical students and residents alongside
him, to developing countries on five continents. In total,
he has cared for over 75,000 people on these missions, each
of which has come at a high personal and financial cost to
him. At present he is planning another trip to Mozambique.
He has personally developed educational programs to foster
a relationship between his patients and his learners. Through
his "Care From the
Start" program, students are mentored and taught, not only
the fundamentals of family medicine, but also how to be a
committed, caring doctor that is prepared to make a difference
in the world. This innovative program provides an educational
experience for third and first-year medical students to care
for a cohort of patients in a longitudinal, as opposed to
a block rotation. He helped to develop the "Cultural Diversity
Elective" that focuses on the diversity of patients from
different communities in medically underserved areas.
Dr.
Paeglow graduated from the Albany Medical College at the
age of 40, and was honored for his dedication to the poor
by being awarded dozens of awards, including "Humanitarian
of the Year Award" from the Alumni Association at the Albany
Medical School. This award is presented to individuals who "greatly
exceed normal career expectations in the effort to serve
mankind." He currently serves as an Assistant Professor at
Albany Medical College, is the founder and board member of
the "Capital Region Prayer and Healing Center," serves
as the Medical Director for IAM, and is an ordained minister.
Since he was himself a student, his passion, caring and
commitment have never waned. He has grown more passionate
through the years. The lessons he teaches deal not only
with medicine, but also with life in general. He stands
as a mentor and friend that inspires all with his teaching
style that guides students in a manner that quickly builds
their skill and confidence. He gains the respect and admiration
of the students he encounters, and they look to him as
a role model. Living only a block from his inner-city clinic,
Dr. Paeglow not only made a strong commitment to improving
the community in which he lives by offering healthcare
to anyone who walks into his clinic "Koinonia Health Care" but,
by allowing students to see his patients with him, Dr.
Paeglow pours his life into his students, as well. Dr.
Paeglow has truly dedicated his life to the betterment
of others. His medical practice, his ministry, his teaching,
his strong community leadership, and his commitment to
lead by example and to serve should be recognized and offered
as an example of how each of us hold the power to change
our world.
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