Holyoke Physician Among Four Honored By Mass. Medical Society

WALTHAM — Four physicians have received top honors from the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) for their work in public health, medical service, contributions to medical education, and service to the society.

• Claudia Koppelman, M.D., received the 2005 Award for Distinguished Service to the Massachusetts Medical Society, given to a member physician who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication and service to the society. A board-certified primary care physician in Holyoke, Dr. Koppelman has served on the society’s House of Delegates for the past 11 years and is a member of several committees including the society’s Board of Trustees, Committee on Nominations and Committee on Women in Medicine. She is also chair of the Committee on Strategic Planning.

• Alice A. Tolbert Coombs, M.D., F.A.C.P., a Sharon resident, received the 2005 Harry Ingersoll Bowditch Award for Excellence in Public Health. Dr. Coombs, a critical care specialist at South Shore Hospital, has spent the last six years developing Smoking-Don’t Go There, an anti-smoking program for South Shore youth.

• David McAneny, M.D., a Southborough resident and associate professor of Surgery at the Boston University School of Medicine in the Section of Surgical Oncology and Endocrinology, received the 2005 Grant V. Rodkey Award for outstanding contributions to medical education and medical students.

• Robert P. Masland, Jr., M.D., a Needham resident and internal medicine physician, received the 2005 Special Award for Excellence in Medical Service, presented annually to a Bay State physician who has provided exceptional care and dedication to the medical needs of his or her patients and the general public. A specialist in adolescent medicine for more than 50 years, Masland joined the Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine Division at Children’s Hospital in 1954 and became chief in 1968.