The Lewis B. Flinn President’s Award is made in the name of Lewis B. Flinn, M.D., a founder and the first President of the Delaware Academy of Medicine. It is awarded to an individual or organization that has achieved distinction by substantive contributions to the well being of our community through education, leadership, philanthropy, or service.
The 2026 recipient of the Lewis B. Flinn President’s award is
David Paul
A champion for the prevention of infant mortality, Dr. David Paul led the Delaware initiative to decrease infant mortality and premature birth from 2005-2023 as the Governor Appointed Chair of the Delaware Healthy Mother and Infant Consortium. During that time, Delaware’s infant mortality rate dropped from a high of 10.6 to 4.8/1000 live births in 2021.
Dr. Paul is a Professor of Pediatrics at The Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA. He has authored numerous publications, served as a journal section editor and on multiple conference planning committees, and given countless presentations. He has been recognized for his excellence in teaching, advocacy, research and patient care by many organizations.
Dr. Paul practiced neonatology in Delaware from 1994-2024 at ChristianaCare, Bayhealth, St. Francis Hospital and DuPont Hospital for Children. He served as Chair of Department of Pediatrics at ChristianaCare from 2014-2024. He is presently an attending neonatologist at Jefferson Abington Hospital. Dr. Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado and his Medical Degree from Hahnemann University. He completed his residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA.
L-R: President Stephen C. Eppes, MD; Awardee David Paul, MD; Executive Director Kate Smith, MD, MPH
(Photo Credit: David Heitur Photography)
Previous Recipients of the Lewis B. Flinn President’s Award
2008: Victor F. Battaglia, Sr., Esq.
2009: Robert W. Frelick, M.D.
2010: Leslie W. Whitney, M.D.
2011: Robert B. Flinn, M.D.
2012: Edwin L. Granite, D.M.D
2013: Katherine L. Esterly, M.D.
2014: LTG(DE) William H. Duncan, M.D.
2015: Joseph A. Kuhn, M.D.
2016: J. Kent Riegel, Esq.
2017: The Honorable Susan C. Del Pesco, Esq.
2018: Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., F.A.C.S.
2019: Sherman L. Townsend
2020-2021: Governor John C. Carney and First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney
2022: Verna Wilkins Hensley
2023: Lolita A. Lopez, F.A.C.H.E.
2024: Joseph F. “Ted” Kestner, Jr., MD
2025: Anand Panwalker, MD, MACP, FIDSA