Main Line Health’s William Surkis, MD, FACP Receives Top Award by American College of Physicians for Excellence in Medical Care, Education, Research and Community Service
Peer Recognition and Outstanding Work in Internal Medicine are Among the Criteria in Selecting the Laureate Awardee
Bryn Mawr, Pa- November 23, 2021 - William Surkis, MD, FACP, Vice President of Medical Education at Lankenau Medical Center, part of Main Line Health, is the 2021 recipient of the American College of Physicians Laureate Award Pennsylvania Chapter recognizing Dr. Surkis’ deserving work and commitment to advancing the field of medical education.
The award honors those Fellows or Masters of the American College of Physicians who have demonstrated by their example and conduct an abiding commitment to excellence in medical care, education, or research and in service to their community. The Laureate Award is given to senior physicians with acknowledged excellence and peer approval in the field of internal medicine and have served the Chapter with distinction. Among Dr. Surkis’ achievements at Main Line Health this year that stir great pride have been the seamless delivery of patient care by Main line Health Residents and Fellows throughout the pandemic while also never letting up on their educational or research commitments.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive the Laureate Award from the Pennsylvania American College of Physicians,” says Dr. Surkis. “It’s been my honor to advocate on behalf of Pennsylvania’s physicians and be a part of this fantastic physician advocacy organization. I look forward to continuing to serve the College and Keystone State physicians in the future through the ACP and Main Line Health.”
Bill Surkis was born in New York City and is the son of a Holocaust survivor. He attended Bates College in Lewiston, ME and completed his Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med training at NYU. Dr. Surkis attended MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Surkis has worked at Main Line Health since 2008 where he served as Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program between 2011-2021. Since July, Dr. Surkis has been the Designated Institutional Official (DIO) and Vice President for Medical Education for the Main Line Health System which includes the role of Chief Academic Officer for Main Line Health. Dr. Surkis has additionally served as Lankenau’s Interim Vice President for Medical Affairs since March 2019 and continues to serve in this role. Dr. Surkis is a practicing Internal Medicine hospitalist and continues to precept in the Internal Medicine Residency continuity clinic. He has been a Fellow of the American College of Physicians since 2009 and served two terms on the PA-ACP State Council.
ACP is the nation's largest medical specialty organization, founded in 1915. ACP membership is composed of 159,000 internal medicine physicians and medical students. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the ACP is comprised of three regions - Eastern, Western, and Southeastern - and join internists together to speak for Internal Medicine and reflect the interests and concerns of the specialty.
“Part of our work every day in graduate medical education is creating the next generation of amazing physicians to care for patients. This award is a humbling reminder that our work is recognized by our peers,” said Dr. Surkis.
For more information on the ACP and to view a list of past winners, please visit their website.
About Main Line Health
Main Line Health® is a not-for-profit health system serving the greater Philadelphia region. The System comprises five hospitals, seven health centers, more than 160 outpatient and physician practice locations, over 14,500 employees and more than 2,200 employed and independent physicians and advanced practice providers.
Founded in 1985, Main Line Health includes four of the region’s most respected acute care hospitals — Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital — as well as Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, one of the nation’s premier facilities for rehabilitative medicine. The System also includes Mirmont Treatment Center, which provides treatment and support for substance use disorders; Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice; Main Line HealthCare, its employed multispecialty physician network; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a leading biomedical research organization; and Main Line Health Centers offering primary and specialty care, lab, radiology and other outpatient services in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Devon, Exton, King of Prussia and Newtown Square.
Main Line Health brings together physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, researchers and other healthcare professionals across a broad network of inpatient, outpatient, home-based and community-based services. Through this integrated approach, the System delivers high-quality, comprehensive care across the continuum — from primary care and preventive services to complex specialty, surgical, trauma, emergency, rehabilitative, behavioral health, home care and hospice services — with a focus on making care accessible in the communities where people live and work.
Main Line Health also collaborates with leading clinical partners to expand access to specialized care. Through its affiliation with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, pediatric care is provided at select Main Line Health locations, including neonatal intensive care units at its acute care hospitals and Bryn Mawr Hospital’s Inpatient Pediatric Unit and Emergency Department. Jefferson Health neurosurgeons and neurointerventionalists also provide 24/7 specialized care, including neurointervention and lifesaving stroke care.