Joseph Chao, MD, a resident in the UA Dermatology Residency Program, was presented with certificate of recognition by the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) for assisting a veteran who had fallen outside a clinic at the Tucson facility.
He had come across the emergency-related ill patient in the VA parking lot this past summer and provided medical assistance.
The honor was for “demonstrating ‘Service First’ that goes ‘above and beyond’ in providing ‘Veteran Centered Care’ (VCC) in the areas of Safety, Kindness, Performance Excellence, Professional Presentation and/or Stewardship.”
Dr. Chao, a fourth-year resident in the program, earned his medical degree from the UA College of Medicine – Tucson in 2015 and completed his internship in internal medicine here prior to starting his residency.
Dermatology residents regularly round at the Tucson VA Medical Center, 3601 S. 6th Ave., the flagship hospital for the SAVAHCS.
Dr. Chao was nominated by an SAVAHCS employee who observed him assist a veteran who had fallen and needed assistance getting into the building for care.
Residency program director and UA Division of Dermatology Chief James Sligh, MD (right), said he was proud to see Dr. Chao getting this recognition.
The award was presented to Dr. Chao in a June 28 ceremony.
In other UA Dermatology news: 
- Newly board-certified dermatologists continued the UA Dermatology Residency Program’s streak of 100 percent pass rate.
- UA dermatologist Vivian Shi, MD (right), completed a medical mission to Oaxaca day before earthquake strikes area in Mexico on Sept. 7.