William Jefferson Terry, MD *

A staunch defender of the physician patient relationship, Dr. Jeff Terry was a generational leader in healthcare whose many contributions continue to be recognized by his colleagues. Several organizations have honored Dr. Terry as a tribute to the surgical care provided to children in underserved areas, and as Alabama’s first pediatric urologist. In April 2016, MASA established the William Jeff Terry Award for leadership related to the protection of the patient-physician relationship. In November 2016, for only the second time in its history, the AMA presented a special award for his meritorious service. Dr. Terry once shared with his physician son, “If you sometimes find the practice of medicine to be a cold place, then make it your business to build a fire.”