James C. Leonard, MD, Gold-Headed Cane Award
James C. Leonard, MD, Gold-Headed Cane Award
The Leonard Gold-Headed Cane Award was established at Carle Illinois to honor Dr. James C. Leonard, President and CEO of The Carle Foundation, for his role as a physician, leader, innovator, and a founder of Carle Illinois. It is considered the top honor for a graduating medical student.
The original gold-headed cane had been handed down from physician to physician as early as the 17th century. It was deposited in the early 19th century in the Royal College of Physicians. The cane represents the “appeal to be worthy to serve the suffering, so beautifully that the cane is rescued from obscurity to walk again, a symbol, the outward and visible sign of the attributes of mind and heart of the true physician.” (From the Foreword by William J. Kerr, M.D., to The Gold-Headed Cane by William MacMichael, M.D.)
Honorees:
| Year | Honoree |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2022 |