Tampa, FL (Jan. 4, 2007) Dr. Kaaron Benson has been named the 2006 Physician of the Year at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. Benson is medical director of the Blood Bank, Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA), and Chemistry and Specimen Processing Labs. She is assistant professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Pathology and Cell Biology at the Universityof South Florida.
“I am honored to receive this award to represent Pathology,” said Benson. We’re the ones usually behind the scenes working with patient samples, not patients. I’m the first pathologist and second woman to be recognized so this is wonderful.”
Benson earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and received her clinical training at St. Mary Medical Center, Memorial Medical Center and the American Red Cross Blood Services in California.
“The Physician of the Year embodies the finest qualities of a physician: one who provides excellent patient care, excels in patient relations, exhibits a commitment to teaching and demonstrates an interdisciplinary approach to care,” said Dr. S. Clifford Schold., associate center director for Clinical Affairs, Physician-in-Chief and Chair and Professor, Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology.