Yvonne Maldonado
Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian has recognized two Stanford Medicine physicians for their contributions this year to the local community.
Yvonne Maldonado, MD, professor of pediatrics and of epidemiology and population health, and Steven Adelsheim, MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, were awarded supervisor's medals by Simitian for advancing the wellbeing of county residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They showed admirable resilience and offered others inspiration during a difficult year, Simitian said during an online awards ceremony Dec. 14.
"These folks, by virtue of the way they've gone about doing their work, lending their assistance, have inspired all of us to say, 'We can, and have to, do more,'" Simitian said.
Adelsheim was honored for founding an early intervention mental health program for young people. The program, called allcove, is tentatively scheduled to begin offering services in San Jose and Palo Alto next spring.
Steven Adelsheim
"I share this recognition with our partners at Stanford and Santa Clara County, and with the allcove youth advisory group," Adelsheim said.
"As our young people work to remain resilient during the COVID crisis, access to integrated mental health supports has become even more critical. It is an honor to be recognized by Supervisor Simitian for our efforts."
Maldonado's award recognized her work to explain COVID-19 to everyone. An infectious disease expert, she has given hundreds of media interviews about the pandemic.
Simitian cited her "for helping to spread a broader understanding of just what we're confronting and, perhaps more importantly, to help us understand what we need to do to put it behind us."
"I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition from Santa Clara County and Supervisor Simitian," said Maldonado, who is senior associate dean of faculty development and diversity at the School of Medicine and the Taube Professor of Global Health and Infectious Diseases.
"It is an honor and a privilege to use my medical and epidemiologic skills to support the health and safety of all the members of our community."
