MADISON—Clarence Chou, MD, of Mequon is one of two recipients of the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Presidential Citation. Doctor Chou, a staff psychiatrist with the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, received the award during the Society’s Inaugural Ceremony in Madison April 2.
The Presidential Citation was established in 1959 to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to medicine or public health. The other 2016 recipient was U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R, Janesville).
Outgoing Society President Jerry L. Halverson, MD, DFAPA, recognized Dr. Chou for his leadership, mentorship and “enormous footprint in organized medicine,” saying he could think of few physicians who rivaled Dr. Chou’s level of involvement and commitment.
“I first met Dr. Chou when I was a psychiatry resident at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), and it’s been a real privilege to get to know him over the years as a mentor, colleague and friend,” said Dr. Halverson, adding, “He has helped guide our (the Society’s) good work in so many ways for such an extended period of time.”
Board certified in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Chou is also an associate clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at MCW, and has held numerous leadership positions at the state and national levels. He was Society president in 2007-2008 and a member of its Board of Directors for 11 years, serving as chair and vice chair, as well as a member of several committees, task forces and councils. He also is a past board member and president of the Medical Society of Milwaukee County.
Doctor Chou is very active in the American Medical Association (AMA) as well, having been a delegate from 1999-2015 and a member of the AMA Foundation’s Board of Directors from 2005-2014, including serving as its president. He has been equally involved in his specialty societies—the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists—and has served as an oral board examiner for over 30 years.
Through all of this, he has made it a priority to serve as a mentor to the next generation of physicians, while actively helping to shape policy and procedure at the state and local levels.
“I have tried to take students and residents and other physicians with me wherever I was,” said Dr. Chou.
“So whether I was testifying at the State Capitol or I was going to the medical examiner’s office or even some community organizations, I wanted them to see what a physician could do in that situation, given the talents and the skills we’ve been given and what we can give back.”
Doctor Chou also contributes generously to the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation through his participation in events like Operation: Education and his support of its White Coat Campaign and summer fellowship program.
“Dr. Chou is a truly an inspiration to those of us who have been touched by his involvement in some way,” said Dr. Halverson. “And let’s face it—who among us hasn’t?”
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841.