The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has honored Faith Atai, MD, associate professor of geriatric and palliative medicine at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) with AGS 2021 Clinician of the Year Award.
The award is presented to a clinician who provides outstanding care to patients, communicates well with patients and their families, and makes generous contributions to community health care efforts. Additionally, Atai was recognized for her dedication as an educator, geriatrician, clinician, her compassionate bedside manner, and mentoring abilities.
“I feel very humbled to have received this award,” said Atai, a geriatrician with UT Physicians Center for Healthy Aging – Bellaire. “The care I provide for my patients doesn’t start or end with me. I have an entire team that I am eternally grateful for, and it is a privilege to be surrounded by people who believe in me.”
Atai was nominated by her fellow colleagues.
“Everyone is so proud of Dr. Atai,” said Holly Holmes, MD, associate professor, director of geriatric and palliative medicine, and the Joan and Stanford
Alexander Chair in Gerontology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. “We are all honored to work with her because we know how much she cares about her patients and their families and caregivers. She really spends time getting to know them, and she gets to the bottom of their concerns and addresses them holistically. Receiving this honor is a way to recognize her for the extraordinary work that she does, day in and day out, at McGovern Medical School and UT Physicians.
Atai will receive her award during the AGS 2021 virtual annual meeting.
“I truly feel like I was meant to be a geriatrician,” she said. “I am getting older now, and I am getting a firsthand look from my patients and learning from their choices. They help shape my decisions and my job really makes up who I am.”
