A Presidential Citation!

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

One of the pleasant surprises of the AACC/ASCLS convention for my father came when he attended the President's reception on Tuesday night. Dave Koch (pictured at right, on the right), this year's President of the AACC, is a dear colleague who worked with my father back at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Hospital and Clinics. Dave Koch also took the reins of the long-running Method Validation workshop series that the AACC has offered for the last 38 years in a row. Dave has always been an earnest, dedicated proponent of quality. My father didn't have to teach that to him, it was already in Dave from the start.

So I didn't know this, but the President of the AACC has the prerogative to hand out awards during their yearlong tenure. And Dave Koch decided to give one - a Presidential Citation - to my father.

More, on this award, after the jump...

So I'd like to indulge in a moment of filial pride - I'm very proud of my father's accomplishments and want to share with you the citation, because it says something heartfelt:

"This Presidential Citation is presented to James O. Westgard, PhD, FACB, in appreciation for your long-standing encouragement to me personally, and your world-wide decisive influence on the profession of clinical chemistry through your emphasis on quality. Your guidance and friendship throughout my career have contributed immeasurably and I am privileged to call you my mentor and friend."

To that, I can only add, Ditto.

I, too, am immeasurably grateful for all that my father has done for me as a paternal influence and professional guide. I feel very lucky that he has been my father, mentor, and my friend.

 

Thank you, Dave.

Thank you, AACC.

And most of all,

Thanks, Dad.

 

 

 

Comments

[Rita Campbell]

God bless Mr. Westgard. He shares his work so generously and in my past career as a Medical Technologist I was often grateful to him for the information he provided and made so available, as well as for his excellent books.
He deserves to be well recognized for his singular contribution to our field of work.
Rita Campbell in Canada.

[Beimar Iriarte]

Congratulations, and well deserved award!