Dr. Paul Carson, medical director for the NDSU Center for Immunization Research and Education (CIRE), received the 2022 Physician Community and Professional Services Award during the North Dakota Medical Association’s annual meeting.

Since 1977, the prestigious award has recognized physicians who serve as role models for leadership and service to the community and are active in their profession.

Carson was nominated by NDMA member Dr. David Field, a Sanford Health Internal Medicine physician practicing in Bismarck. Field said that during the pandemic,  Carson’s dedication to helping physicians learn first-hand about the latest research on infection spread and immunizations was an asset to physicians across the state.

“During the pandemic, Dr. Carson became a regular consultant to help get the word out on the science,” Field said. “He worked with many high-level departments, including the North Dakota Department of Health and Gov. Doug Burgum’s task force.”

Carson also participated in NDMA’s Physicians Advisory Group, a team of physicians and public health officials that organized as a network during the pandemic to share the latest statistics and treatment options.

He delivered many seminars and information updates and addressed national requests for information by speaking to media outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and NBC News.

Carson received the 2020 NDSU College of Health Professions Mary J. Berg Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2022 NDSU Faculty Lectureship Award.