Dr. Macaran Baird Receives Prestigious Shotwell Award

The University of Minnesota Medical School is proud to announce Macaran “Mac” Baird, MD, MS, professor emeritus and retired Head of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health has been named the 2018 Shotwell Award recipient by Twin Cities Medical Society.

The Shotwell Award is given annually to a community member for their noteworthy effort in the field of healthcare including dedicated service to mankind; significant contribution to the field of medicine; significant break-through in some form of research; or innovations and/or improvements in healthcare delivery.

“During his medical career, Dr. Baird’s success was achieved through his genuine personality—bringing people together for a common cause; his community health perspective—identifying and executing on opportunities for physicians to play a role in community health; and his ability to passionately engage medical students, residents and faculty in public health and social issues,” said Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School. “I cannot think of a more deserving person for this prestigious recognition.”

Prior to his retirement in December 2018, Dr. Baird was called to serve as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of University of Minnesota Physicians. During this 12-month assignment, he was one of the key leaders who helped create new institutional partnerships and strengthened key relationships within and beyond the university group practice.

From 2002-2017 Dr. Baird served as a professor and Head of the University of Minnesota Medical School’s top-ranked Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. During his tenure, the department grew in the number of resident positions, residency programs and in research grants and is recognized as one of the top three primary care programs in the country receiving NIH funding.

The Shotwell Award was established by Metropolitan Medical Center in 1971 in recognition of the support and dedication of the Shotwell Family. The late Mr. and Mrs. James D. Shotwell established the Louise Shotwell Smith Leukemia Fund for research and the Louise Shotwell Smith and Grace R. Shotwell Nursing Scholarship Funds, of Metropolitan Medical Center. Dr. Baird was presented with his award in a ceremony on January 8, 2019. A plaque created in his honor also resides on the Abbott Northwestern Hospital campus.