HealthPartners Medical Director for Well-being receives Minnesota Medical Association’s President’s Award for work to improve public health

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Thomas Kottke, MD, a HealthPartners cardiologist and epidemiologist and Medical Director for Well-being, is the recipient of the 2018 President’s Award from the Minnesota Medical Association.

The award recognizes physicians who have worked on behalf of public health. Dr. Kottke’s work has improved health in our community by promoting public health measures including:

• Tobacco cessation. Dr. Kottke testified to help pass city ordinances to prohibit tobacco sales to people younger than 21. Twelve Minnesota cities have passed legislation to raise the age for buying tobacco including Minneapolis, Edina, Bloomington and St. Louis Park. Dr. Kottke is also working limit tobacco marketing to youth, LGBTQ and communities of color.
• Teen pregnancy prevention. Dr. Kottke is an active supporter of Planned Parenthood and increasing access to sexual health services and birth control.
• Bike safety. Dr. Kottke has partnered with Bike Minnesota to promote walkable and bikeable communities and bike training and safety among children.
• Gun violence prevention. Dr. Kottke has worked to reduce injuries and deaths from guns.

In accepting the award at MMA’s 2018 Annual Conference at the Saint Paul RiverCentre, Dr. Kottke urged his colleagues to work to eliminate poverty.

“Poverty is causing the U.S. to fall behind other countries in extending life expectancy,” said Kottke. “Physicians can make a difference by promoting early childhood education and literacy through programs like Reach Out and Read and advocating for affordable housing and clean energy.”

The Minnesota Medical Association represents more than 10,000 physicians, residents and medical students.