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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Long-time critical care physician presented with Healing Hands Award

Dr. Braverman (center) accepts the award from Dr. Doehring at the
ceremony. Joining them is Dr. Braverman's wife, Elaine.
INDIANAPOLIS – Gerald L. Braverman, MD, easily could have retired from practicing medicine a few years ago, but he has shown no sign of slowing his pace as a critical care physician.

In fact, Braverman, a member of Indiana Internal Medicine Consultants for 35 years, hasn’t missed a beat in caring for patients at Franciscan St. Francis Health, where he directs the intensive care unit.

That dedication and many other factors is what led to his selection as the latest recipient of the quarterly Healing Hands Award. With his colleagues, friends and wife, Elaine, looking on, Braverman was presented with the award today (Oct. 31) at a special reception hosted at the south side hospital.

“Dr. Braverman’s professionalism, vast knowledge and demeanor in dealing with his patients and their families are unmatched in compassion and quality,” said Christopher “Topper” Doehring, MD, vice president of medical affairs for Franciscan St. Francis. “He garners the utmost respect from his colleagues and the staff who work with him.”

Several letters of commendation accompanied his nomination for the award, many describing him as a teacher, mentor and friend. As one nominator put it, “Dr. Braverman is one of the cornerstones at our hospital. He has awesome, powerful healing hands!”

In accepting the award, the self-effacing physician jokingly quipped, “When I told Elaine that I was going to be the recipient of this, she immediately asked me if the Helping Hands recognition applied to how much I help out around the house.”

Board-certified in internal medicine and critical care, Braverman has been affiliated with Franciscan St. Francis since 1978.

Braverman received his undergraduate degree at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania and earned his medical degree from the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He completed an internship at Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania and later served as chief resident in the Department of Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

He is a member of the American Medical Association, Indiana State Medical Association, Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Marion County Medical Society.


The Healing Hands Award recognizes Franciscan St. Francis physicians for excellence in clinical skills, patient relations, research, stewardship, and reflection of the hospital’s health care care ministry, values and mission.