San Bernardino County Medical Societypresented to
W. Benson Harer, M.D.
This twenty seventh day of June, in the year two thousand one
Dr. W. Benson Harer is recognized world wide for his brilliance and talent as a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. It is the Medical Society's privilege to honor him as a physician leader and a tireless worker who exemplifies the highest ideals of medicine and organized medicine.
Through the years, Dr. Harer found time to be involved but accept a leadership role in his specialty organizations. Last year he was elected President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He previously served on several committees and task forces and chaired Districts IV and IX and the Insurance Committee. In 1991 ACOG recognized Dr. Harer's many contributions by presenting to him their National District Service Award.
Dr. Harer was Founder and Director of the California Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1976, and President in 1982. He is also a past-president of the American Society of Forensic Ob-GYNs and the San Bernardino County Foundation for Medical Care. He is a former California Blue Shield Administrative Member representing San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono Counties and a surveyor for the CMA/Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and Physician Advisor for California Medical Review, Inc. He was President of the Board of Directors of San Bernardino Community Hospital and Chief of Staff at Riverside County Regional Medical Center.
A strong proponent of organized medicine, Dr. Harer served on the SBCMS Board of Directors and was President of the Medical Society 1976/77. In 1987, SBCMS honored Dr. Harer with the Nicholas Krikes, M.D. Outstanding Contribution to the Medical Society Award. He served on SBCMS committees, including the Nominating Committee, Judicial Commission, Finance, Planning and Goals Committee, and Building Committee. Dr. Harer was a Delegate to the CMA 1972-91 and an AMA Delegate representing District II 1986-87 and authored several resolutions for both the CMA and AMA. He chaired the CMA Task Force on National Health Insurance 1976-1979 and the OB/GYN Advisory Council 1986-1991, and served on CMA's Scientific Board, the Ad Hoc Committee on Peer Review in the Ambulatory Setting, the Maternal & Child Health Committee, and the Task Force on Professional Liability Alternatives.
One of Dr. Harer's most significant gifts to the Medical Society and our community was the development of the Tel-Med Medical Tape Library in 1972. He served as the first President of Tel-Med from 1972 to 1974, and again in 1978-79. The California State Legislature presented Dr. Harer a commendation in 1978 for his development of Tel-Med.
Adding to all his other accomplishments, Dr. Harer is recognized as a scholar and authority in the field of Egyptology. He combines a fascinating mix of archeology, anthropology and medicine in his research into the mysteries of these ancient people.
It is with great pride that we recognize this member and former leader of our
Medical Society and present to him this award in deep appreciation of his lasting
contributions to medicine.
