FORT WORTH, Texas – Jeff Erdner, D.O., a recent graduate of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, was named the 2001 recipient of the Leo Benavides Memorial Award of the Tarrant County Medical Society. The award was presented to Dr. Erdner at the May 18 meeting of the Fort Worth Rotary Club.

Established in 1997, the award is given annually to a graduating senior of the UNT Health Science Center’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The award recognizes Dr. Erdner’s service to the community and role model as a medical student.

His community service at TCOM includes serving as an ambassador of the medical school, which allowed him to recruit potential medical students. Prior to medical school, Dr. Erdner, graduated cum laude from Texas A&M University with a bachelor of science in biomedical science.

"Dr. Erdner is the personification of what Leo Benavides was all about – concern, compassion, commitment, conscience and community," said Gene Deutscher, a member of the awards selection committee. "As we listened to Jeff’s responses during his interview, we felt Leo’s spirit alive in Jeff."

Dr. Erdner will reside in El Paso, Texas, with his wife and daughter and will complete an emergency medicine internship at Thomason Hospital.

The award is named in memory of the Tarrant County Medical Society’s late executive director, Leo Benavides, who was killed in an auto accident in 1993. The award, given annually, includes a prize of $2,000 and an individual plaque to each year’s recipient. A sustaining plaque naming the recipients will be prominently displayed in the hall of honor at the health science center.

-30-

If you are with the media and need additional information or would like to arrange an interview, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 817-735-2446.