Goertz wins coveted Gold-headed Cane Award

TAFP member Roland Goertz, M.D., M.B.A., of Waco, was honored with the McLennan County Medical Society’s Gold-headed Cane at a ceremony held on Saturday, April 17. The tradition of the Gold-headed Cane dates back to the 1600s when it was given to the most outstanding London practitioner of the time. Symbolizing respect, truth, culture, and art in the medical profession, the Gold-headed Cane is still used today in many U.S. cities to recognize exemplary physicians.

Goertz is the executive director and CEO of Heart of Texas Community Health Center Inc., and president of the McLennan County Medical Education and Research Foundation. He currently serves as AAFP president-elect and will be sworn in as AAFP president in October 2010. Goertz served on the AAFP Board of Directors for the previous three years and held the office of TAFP president from 1994 to 1995.

According to the medical society, the qualifications of the recipient of the Gold-headed Cane include professional standing, good citizenship, and personal integrity. Goertz and one other recipient, W. Gene Murff, M.D., a specialist in obstetrics-gynecology, were chosen by medical society members and alliance members to receive this year’s honor.