Richard Kirkpatrick to receive 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Dr. Richard Kirkpatrick will be honored this year with the UW School of Medicine 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Dr. Kirkpatrick received his undergraduate degree in 1968 and his medical degree in 1972 from the University of Washington. Since 1976, he has been a general internist in the medically-underserved city of Longview, Washington.
He has been a preceptor for UW students, and held a clinical faculty appointment in the Department of Medicine for 14 years.
His commitment to his community goes beyond patient care. He served on the Longview City Council, and has been a team physician at Mark Morris High School and Lower Columbia College for decades. For 35 years he hosted a medical talk show on the local cable station called “House Calls”.
He is also a musician who performs in the local symphony, sponsors a Longview concert series, and has refurbished and donated over 500 used musical instruments to impoverished local middle school students.
All in the family
Richard Kirkpatrick joined Kirkpatrick Family Care in 1996 to practice medicine with his father and uncle. He currently works with his son, David, who is a physician assistant.
His brother John graduated from the UW Medical School in 1973 and also held a clinical faculty appointment in the Department of Medicine. His son Scott is currently in medical school at the UW, and his son James is an associate professor in the Department of Medicine Division of Cardiology, and directs the Echocardiography Laboratory and is chair of the ethics committee at the UW Medical Center.
"For Dad, being a doctor has always been about service of patients and giving back to the community” said James Kirkpatrick. “His example has inspired many people with a passion to help others to pursue careers in the medical field. Thus, his impact on the practice of medicine extends well beyond his small clinic in Longview, WA. He is the doctor our patients want, and the doctor we all should strive to be."
The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna whose professional achievements and cumulative contributions have brought personal distinction, enhanced the general health and well-being of the public through professional practice, research or public policy, and brought honor to their alma mater.
Dr. Kirkpatrick will be honored on June 2 at A Toast to the UW School of Medicine, part of the School of Medicine’s Reunion Weekend.