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2022 HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Audrey Kuang, MD

Internal Medicine, CommUnityCare, Central Health
She believed that understanding a Examples of her dedication are numerous

patient’s living environment and meeting —during the aftermath of Hurricane
them there, improved care and garnered Harvey, she supported the care in the
trust, resulting in realistic and accessible temporary shelters for those displaced
he daughter of first-generation treatment goals. This approach was reaffirmed by the hurricane. The devastating 2021
Chinese immigrants, Dr. Audrey during her residency years and beyond as Texas winter saw her driving to the
TKuang was constantly reminded a hospitalist at Santa Clara Valley Medical shelters to treat individuals for frostbite
that hard work and humility were the Center, where it was easy to see the clear and exposure complications. Currently,
keys to success. Her undergraduate years interdependence of housing and health. as Director of High-Risk populations
were spent at MIT without one thought Practicing with CommUnityCare with Central Health, she is focusing
of becoming a physician. Although she (CUC) and Central Health, Dr. Kuang her efforts on providing a safe place to

majored in chemical engineering, she is fiercely dedicated to serving and heal for patients who are experiencing
was fascinated by her anthropology healing the most vulnerable among us. homelessness. No doubt she will accomplish

class, examining the way humanity is She is the clinical director of CUC’s exactly what she sets out to do, as she is
influenced by its environment and the Healthcare for the Homeless program, known to have “a Disney heart and an
corresponding physical results. How did which cares for patients experiencing MIT brain.”
this fascination morph into a medical homelessness through the shelter team, When nominated, her passion was
degree from the University of Chicago a mobile team, and street medicine described perfectly: “She inspires all
Medical School? Dr. Kuang saw a way to team. From wound care to vaccines and of us to see through her eyes and feel
combine medical training with her love hepatitis treatments, her medical teams through her heart those individuals as our

for people and her passion for justice make regular forays into Travis County neighbors, our family, ourselves.”
to better treat underserved populations. areas of known homeless communities.

2022 RUTH M. BAIN YOUNG PHYSICIAN AWARD
Lauren Gambill, MD

Pediatric Hospitalist, Dell Children’s Medical Center
“ t is such an honor to think that Gambill serves on the executive legislative and empowered

parents trust me with the care of their committee of the Texas Pediatric Society, to speak out,
Ichildren—if I stop to really think is involved in several Texas Pediatric so that together
about it, it just takes my breath away,” Society (TPS) committees, and is the we can improve

says Dr. Lauren Gambill, a pediatric co-director of the TPS Texas Educators the world we
hospitalist at Dell Children’s Medical in Advocacy and Community Health live in.”
Center of Central Texas. She has believed (TEACH) Collaborative. Currently, her focus is on gun
that children are “the best humans” for Nationally, Dr. Gambill is an violence prevention—specifically when

as long as she can remember and so when Associate Program Director for the children are injured. She has dealt with

it was time to decide on a specialty, Academic Pediatric Association Health cases here in Austin and explains that
pediatrics was the obvious choice. Now Policy Scholars Program, as well as a many shooting injuries with kids result
that she has her own kids, she believes national leader in the American Academy in lifetime disabilities, not to mention
she has an even deeper appreciation for of Pediatrics Community Pediatrics trauma, anxiety, depression, and more

what a profound privilege it is to be a Training Initiative. In addition, she is after the physical healing. Another cause
pediatrician. “They are the light of my a graduate of the prestigious OpEd she champions is civic engagement
life,” she says smiling. Her daughter, Project Public Voices Fellowship and and voting equity. Studies show that
Nylah, is four and her son, Idrees, is two. actively gives presentations and writes communities with the best voter turnouts
What makes Dr. Gambill stand out for many publications including US News have better health outcomes.
amongst her peers are her tireless efforts and World Report, Doximity.com, and the Dr. Gambill’s colleagues value her
to change child health policy through Austin American Statesman about the need enthusiasm and commitment, one of
advocacy and education. Locally, she is for change. “We have enormous power to them movingly stating, “She shows
the chair of TMA’s Child and Adolescent create change as physicians by using our a consistent passion to transform herself,
Health Committee, which promotes voices and sharing our stories. With our educate, and provide outstanding clinical

policies to encourage the development voices we can help policy makers and the care. Her voice is strong, but not loud.
of healthy youth, including those with public understand how real people are The difference being that she communicates
disabilities, and provides liaison with impacted by policy and better understand to uplift her colleagues not drown out
organizations concerned with health the solutions. My goal in education work their voices.”
services for children and adolescents. is to help other physicians feel equipped

14 2022 November • December TCMS