Reading Health System has awarded the 2017 Russell S. Bickel, Jr. Award for Excellence in Communication and Caring to Patients and their Families to Raymond J. Hubbard, MD, of Reading Pediatrics.
The award was established by members of the Russell S. Bickel Jr. family to recognize a member of the healthcare community who has developed a deep commitment to patients and their family members and has effectively communicated with them and other care providers in support of patients' needs.
Dr. Hubbard has been a tireless advocate for children with special needs. At Reading Pediatrics, he helped create a family advisory board with parents of special needs children who provide peer support or simply answer questions that other special-needs parents may have. The practice also has created a Facebook page for special needs patients and their families. The page provides information on support groups, workshops and activities for children with special needs.
In the 25-plus years he has served the children of Berks County, he has worked in an advisory role for many county and state organizations, including PA Medical Home and Project Search. He serves on the advisory board of MH/DD Berks County, working to improve access to care for children with special needs, especially mental health needs.
Dr. Hubbard graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Medical School, and completed his pediatric residency at Strong Memorial Hospital University of Rochester, New York, where he served as chief of ambulatory pediatrics. He spent one year as cardiology fellow at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
David George, MD, Chief Academic Officer/Vice President, Academic Affairs, Reading Health System, presented the Russell S. Bickel, Jr. Memorial Award to Dr. Hubbard at Reading Health System's Quality and Safety Symposium on January 21, 2017, at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Reading.
Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.