Award Recipients

Doris A. Howell, MD Award for Advancing Palliative Care

Recipients of the Doris A. Howell, MD Award for Advancing Palliative Care are healthcare professionals who were nominated by their peers for significant contributions to the field of palliative care in San Diego. 

2025 Recipient

Chaplain John W. Tastad, MA

Chaplain John W. Tastad, MA

Beneficiary: Bereavement Department at Sharp HospiceCare

2024 Recipient

Dr. Glenn Panzer, M.D., C.M.D., F.A.A.F.P.

Dr. Glenn Panzer, M.D., C.M.D., F.A.A.F.P.

Beneficiary: Elizabeth Hospice

2023 Recipient

MaryCarol Reeder, NP

MaryCarol Reeder, NP

Beneficiary: Pathways Program at Hospice of the North Coast

2021 Recipient

Allison Kestenbaum, NAJC, APC, ACPE

Allison Kestenbaum, NAJC, APC, ACPE

Beneficiary: UCSD Hospital & ACPE

2021 Recipient

Ami Doshi, MD

Ami Doshi, MD

Beneficiary: Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation

2019 Recipient

Jill Mendlen, MD, RN

Jill Mendlen, MD, RN

Beneficiary: LightBridge Hospice Community Foundation

2018 Recipient

Christine (Chris) Knutson, RN, MSN

Christine (Chris) Knutson, RN, MSN

Beneficiary: San Diego Coalition for Compassionate Care

2017 Recipient

Kimberly Bower, MD

Kimberly Bower, MD

Beneficiary: Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation

2017 Recipient

Gary Buckholz MD, FAAHPM

Gary Buckholz MD, FAAHPM

Beneficiary: UC San Diego Foundation

2016 Recipient

Daniel Hoefer, MD

Daniel Hoefer, MD

2016 Recipient

Suzi K. Johnson, MPH, RN

Suzi K. Johnson, MPH, RN