Donald W. Fisher, PhD, AMGA president and CEO, has passed away. He was 71-years-old and suffered from cancer.
Dr. Fisher was named to the helm of the trade association, which represents medical groups and integrated healthcare systems, in 1980. During his more than 35-year tenure, the organization expanded from 8,000 physicians practicing in its member organizations to 175,000.
Dr. Fisher, who was a strong advocate for healthcare groups and systems as well as the patients they served, received numerous awards during his career. He was honored with both the Russell V. Lee Lectureship and Presidential Award from the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
"Don leaves a professional and personal legacy that is not bound by time or physical space," said Donn Sorensen, AMGA board of directors' chair and president of the east region for St. Louis-based Mercy. "His dedication to advancing the best possible patient care, to leading with integrity and to building a great place to work, not forgetting to have a little fun while accomplishing much, have made a permanent mark on the hearts of all who knew him. We will miss him greatly."
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