The award has been handed out since 1985 and honors those individuals whose careers over the years exemplify dedication to research in family medicine. The recipient is selected by a committee representing the STFM, American Academy of Family Physicians and the North American Primary Care Research Group.
For the past two decades, Dr. Zimmerman has based his clinical practice at the East Liberty Family Health Care Center in Pittsburgh, a community health center dedicated to caring for the underserved. There, he has served on the quality assurance committee and as the health center’s immunization champion.
Dr. Zimmerman has over 200 publications on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases and has led multiple federally-funded research projects on vaccines. He is principal investigator for the Pittsburgh site for the U.S. Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network.
Dr. Zimmerman has dedicated his clinical career and much of his research to improving the health of the disadvantaged, according to his nomination letter.
“In short, Dr. Zimmerman has not only made substantial contributions to primary care research, but is an inspiration to his colleagues, students and patients for this outstanding ability and caring, loyal and collegial personality,” the nomination letter said.
The Curtis G. Hames Research Award is awarded each year during the STFM’s annual spring conference.
