Brian Courtney, M.D., Honored With Physician Legacy Award
CHICO, Calif., Jan. 6, 2025 – Brian Courtney, M.D., an infectious disease doctor for more than 30 years, was recognized with the 2024 Physician Legacy Award. Dr. Courtney’s dedication to patient safety paired with excellent clinical experience has made a positive impact to not only Enloe Health, but to the community.
Physicians, hospital employees and volunteers, and community members submit nominations annually for the Physician Legacy Award. After reviewing the nominees, Enloe Health’s Medical Executive Committee selects the winner.
“He has a warm personality and is a clear communicator who is always cool-headed. He’s very generous with himself and very generous with his time,” said hospitalist Edward O’Regan, M.D., who presented the award to Dr. Courtney on Dec. 17.
Colleagues describe Dr. Courtney as a strong patient advocate with a calm and reassuring bedside manner. His leadership roles include Chair of the Antibiotic Stewardship Committee and Chair of the Infection Control and Prevention Committee. He currently serves as the Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, as well as being Medical Director of the Clinical Documentation Integrity Program.
Dr. Courtney’s career at Enloe began in July 1989. He was born and raised in Los Angeles County and is a proud alumnus of the UCLA School of Medicine.
When his cousin died of cystic fibrosis as a baby, Dr. Courtney volunteered at the UCLA Cystic Fibrosis Clinic as an undergrad. That was when he decided to pursue a future in medicine.
Dr. Courtney completed his fellowship at the University of Wisconsin in Infectious Disease and his residency at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
“This is a very prestigious award and is my most gratifying moment at Enloe to receive this recognition. There are some real giants who received the Physician Legacy Award in the past. To have your peers affirm a life’s work is pretty special,” Dr. Courtney said.
Past recipients include Stephen Pearce, M.D. (2022), Peter Wolk, M.D. (2021), Charles Merriman, M.D. (2020), Marcia Nelson, M.D. (2019), Scott Mellum, M.D. (2018), Denis Westphal, M.D. (2017), Peter Magnusson, M.D. (2016) and Patrick Tedford, M.D. (2015). For the complete list dating back to 2004, visit www.enloe.org/legacy.
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