January 23, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2025
Contact: Ellen Mullally
emullally@paltmed.org/410-992-3124
The Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine has announced the recipients of its national leadership and excellence awards for 2025. William Carl Mercer, MD, CMD, is the 2025 Medical Director of the Year; Howard J. Finger, DO, is the 2025 Clinician of the Year; Victoria Walker, MD, FAAFP, CMD, is the 2025 recipient of the William Dodd Founder’s Award for Distinguished Service; and the 2025 James Pattee Award for Excellence in Education goes to Daniel Haimowitz, MD, FACP, CMD.
Dr. Mercer has been a family physician and medical director in Wheeling, WV, for over 30 years. Currently, he is the medical director of the Continuous Care Center, a post-acute and long-term care organization. He is also a volunteer physician for Project Hope, a street medicine program he founded for the homeless in Wheeling in 2006. There, he works with other volunteers to provide medical care for the homeless.
His work with Project Hope has had an impact throughout the state. In a letter supporting Dr. Mercer’s nomination, Joe Manchin, former U.S. senator from West Virginia, said, “Dr. Mercer is instrumental in helping improve the quality of life of those residing in long-term care in Ohio County.”
This award is a source of honor and validation for Dr. Mercer, a long-time Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) member. “I learned early in my career that you can make a difference if you get involved, connect with people, and prioritize efforts to both learn and teach,” he said. “I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish, but I didn’t do it on my own. I’ve worked with great people, and I have a great team; so this is truly a win for all of us.”
Dr. Finger is an attending physician, clinical ethics consultant, and UM/QA physician advisor at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler and Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility, where he is also president of the medical staff. He is a member of the PALTmed Ethics Subcommittee and the Empire State Bioethics Consortium (ESBC), having served on its Board of Directors from 2021 to 2024. In addition, he was co-chairperson of the New York City Health + Hospitals Bioethics Council from 2019 to 2022.
But Dr. Finger is more than just an accomplished physician. In the true spirit of the Clinician of the Year honor, he is a team leader and player who thrives on collaboration and interdisciplinary engagement. “This award, I believe, is more reflective of what my colleagues and I have been able to achieve as a team rather than a single effort on my part,” he said. “I am fortunate to have outstanding colleagues.”
Currently, Dr. Walker is medical and clinical officer at Avel eCare Senior Care program, where she directs patient care for a telemedicine program that serves older adults and oversees the clinical team while collaborating with program leadership on strategic directions and optimization of a multi-state telemedicine program. She is also clinical associate professor at the Sanford School of Medicine, the Avera Health medical director for long-term care, and serves as the medical director for Morningside Heights in Marshall, MN. She is an active member of PALTmed and has held a variety of leadership positions in the organization, including chair of the Public Policy Committee, and is co-chair of the new Leadership Program.
Although Dr. Walker didn’t know Dr. Dodd, she was clearly inspired by his legacy of vision and fearless leadership. However, she feels that many people lead in their own way. She said, “Leadership is about being fearless and inspired about how you can impact the world and other people in a positive way. You don’t need a leadership title or position to take on this role.” About the award, she said, “It means a lot to be recognized by people I really respect, people who have been mentors and leaders in their careers and lives.”
Dr. Haimowitz currently practices in several PALTC settings in Pennsylvania, including Pickering Manor in Newtown, Living Branches in Lansdale and Souderton, Legacy Gardens in Bristol, and Arden Courts of Yardley. He has been active in PALTmed and its Pennsylvania chapter for many years, serving on the board of both organizations as well as on a wide variety of committees. In addition, he was the 2009 recipient of the William Dodd Founder's Award.
While Dr. Haimowitz is honored to receive the Patee Award, he humbly sees himself as a “worker bee.” He explains, “I’m interested in a lot of different things, and I appreciate new opportunities to challenge myself. It’s a pleasure to be active in PALTmed and other organizations, and I gain as much as I give. It’s really hard for me to say ‘no’ when I’m asked to work on a committee or project.”
The awards will be presented in March at PALTmed’s PALTC25 Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC. Please view the Foundation website for more information on the 2025 Excellence Award winners.
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About the Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine
The Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine is an independent not-for-profit national organization that philanthropically supports the advancement of education, clinical resources, workforce, and research. The Foundation advances the quality of life for persons in post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) through inspiring, educating and recognizing future and current health care professionals. Visit the Foundation for PALTC Medicine at www.paltcfoundation.org.
About Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed)
Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed), formerly AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC) Medicine, is the only organization of its kind providing high-quality resources and education to the interdisciplinary team working in PALTC settings, including medical directors, attending physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, consultant pharmacists, and doctorly-prepared clinicians. PALTmed’s goal is to support its diverse membership, respond to its interests, establish practice standards, and encourage professional advancement for all. For more information, visit www.paltmed.org.
