"An opportunity to recognize and honor a Catholic Doctor whose work is a reflection of their faith, whether to their own community or around the world." Today Catholic doctors face many challenges as they strive to meet the needs of their patients in the context of their own faith and calling. Many go well beyond the role and responsibilities of their profession, offering care that truly reflects the love of God. For some this is obvious in their own practice, for others this takes the form of volunteering in their community or mission work that may be domestic or international. Their exemplary actions bear witness to the highest values of the Catholic doctor. The annual award is given in recognition of the efforts of a doctor who has responded to Christ’s call to “Heal the Sick” as a member of our Catholic faith community and in doing so has made a World of Difference.  

    The 2018 honoree, Dr. Tom Catena, will receive the award on November 4 at the White Mass for Healthcare Professionals at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles in Los Angeles. Dr. Catena is an Aurora Prize Laureate and Catholic international missionary doctor who has served since 2017 as the only permanent doctor at Mother of Mercy Hospital caring for 750,000 people in Sudan’s war-torn Nuba Mountains.       Mission Doctors Association will begin accepting nominations for the 2019 Catholic Doctor of the Year in January 2019. The award recipient will be chosen from nominations received from around the country and honored following the annual Archdiocese of Los Angeles White Mass. This is an opportunity for patients, colleagues, friends and family members to recognize an outstanding Catholic doctor.   To submit the name of a qualified doctor(s) for consideration fill out an application form online or download and complete an application and send it to Mission Doctors. All forms are due by July 15 by mail or fax. Find the list of all previous awardees here.