Ronald G. Nahass, MD, FACP, FIDSA, was named the winner of Princeton HealthCare System's 2008 Distinguished Physician Humanitarian Award at a reception on Sunday, November 23, 2008, at University Medical Center at Princeton.

This award honors physicians who extend their caring beyond the hospital or medical office - leading them to help people in disadvantaged communities, countries in crises and areas in dire need of healthcare across the globe. The physicians also volunteer their time and services to advance the missions of many local, national and international nonprofit organizations.

John S. Chamberlin, Chair Emeritus, Princeton HealthCare System Board of Trustees, served as Chairman of the 2008 Distinguished Physician Humanitarian Award Committee. The business and community leaders who served on the committee selected Dr. Nahass from among 14 physicians who were nominated.

Dr. Ronald G. Nahass was presented this year's award by Michael Wong, MD, recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Physician Humanitarian Award. Tobe Fisch, MD and UMCP Clinic Manager, Terri Nachtman, nominated Dr. Nahass, whom they describe as "truly an exceptional physician who has gone well beyond the requirements of his private practice in his efforts to improve healthcare in the community."

Since 1991, Dr. Nahass has given an afternoon per week to UMCP's Outpatient Clinic, providing care for indigent patients with HIV and other infectious diseases. He and his group are also very generous in donating their services to the care of indigent hospitalized patients. Earlier this year, Dr. Nahass spoke about HIV to 500 people who attended Soul to Soul, a health conference organized by Princeton HealthCare System.

For the past six years, Dr. Nahass has been at the forefront of a regional program to improve HIV care for underserved patient populations in the Central New Jersey area. He directs the Central New Jersey activities of the AIDS Education and Training Committee (AETC) which is part of a large national effort sponsored by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Through this program, Dr. Nahass provides training and expertise in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS to front line providers in health centers and indigent care clinics in Trenton, Princeton, New Brunswick and Plainfield. He regularly provides care for patients and trains other healthcare providers at the New Jersey State Prison for Women in Clinton, New Jersey. He resides in Belle Mead.