CMA Announces Award Recipients at 92nd Annual Educational Conference

September 21, 2023

The Catholic Medical Association honors individual members and guilds every year at the Annual Educational Conference for their dedication and great efforts toward promoting the mission and vision of the organization. Awards were presented by President Craig Treptow and Executive Director Mario Dickerson. Episcopal Advisor Bishop James Conley presided over the Defender and Guardian of the Faith Award along with Parliamentarian Dr. Thomas Pitre, who helped bestow the medallions. Conference Poster Chair Dr. Brian Bamberger presented the Poster Session Awards. Congratulations to all our award winners.

Defender and Guardian of the Faith Award

Pictured L to R: Executive Director Mario Dickerson, Episcopal Advisor Bishop James Conley, Dr. Paul Hruz (award winner), President Dr. Craig Treptow (award winner), and Parliamentarian Dr. Thomas Pitre. (Not Picture: Drs. Kim Hardey and Cathleen Schanzer)

The Defender and Guardian of the Faith Award is presented to members whose vocation of healing others exemplifies their faith and love of God—both personally and professionally. Their special service and dedication to the mission of the Catholic Medical Association answers God’s call of discipleship and is a testament to their character. It is the honor of the Catholic Medical Association to present the Distinguished Defender and Guardian of the Faith medallion as a symbol of service, dedication, and faith to Dr. Kim Hardey, Dr. Paul Hruz, Dr. Cathleen Schanzer and President Dr. Craig Treptow.

A closer look at award winners and their contribution:

Kim A. Hardey, M.D.

Dr. Kim A. Hardey is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Lafayette, Louisiana. He received his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He is Vice President of the DesOrmeaux Foundation that is dedicated to defending life at all stages of development, born and unborn. The Foundation also defends the sanctity of marriage, man and woman, and promotes chaste relationships as the norm in our culture. Dr. Hardey is the CMA State Director of Louisiana. He is a daily communicant and a Eucharistic Minister.

Paul W. Hruz, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Paul Hruz is a pediatric endocrinologist in Saint Louis, Missouri. He is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes. He has clinical interest in a wide range of endocrine disorders, with a special interest in diabetes mellitus. Dr. Hruz is Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Endocrinology and Diabetes and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Cell Biology and Physiology at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed his residency at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has lectured extensively and has provided excellent support to CMA committees on the transgender issue. Dr. Hruz is active in his local parish and in support of his wife Anne’s Healing and Deliverance Ministry which functions in union with the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri.

M. Cathleen (Cathy) Schanzer, M.D.

Dr. Cathy Schanzer is an ophthalmology specialist in Sayre, PA and has over 41 years of experience in the medical field. She is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the International Society of Refractive Surgery. Dr. Schanzer received her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and performed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine, also in Houston. In October 2011, Dr. Schanzer received a Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology for her missionary work in Serabu, Sierra Leone, where she and her husband established an eye clinic over 25 years ago. The Schanzers serve in the clinic two times per year, usually one month at a time, providing sight-saving procedures to hundreds of people who travel from near and far for care. The Clinic is fully operational year-round as Dr. Schanzer has been able to train local nurses and community health workers to keep the clinic running in her absence. Dr. Schanzer is very active in her local parish and has served as a Eucharistic Minister. She and her husband are daily communicants and regularly attend Eucharistic Adoration.

Craig L. Treptow, M.D.

Dr. Craig Treptow is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and sees patients of all ages in Great Falls, Montana. He received his medical degree from the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Treptow currently serves as CMA President and President of the Montana Guild. He is active on the State level, testifying on issues before the Montana Legislature. He previously served CMA as Regional Director, Vice President and Treasurer.

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