Erik Axene, MD, an emergency medicine physician on staff at Medical City McKinney, was awarded the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation’s Physician of the Year award during its annual Employee of the Year Luncheon.

Dr. Axene, who serves as the assistant medical director for Medical City McKinney’s emergency department, was recognized for his dedication to teaching others, along with his compassion and respect for his patients and co-workers.

As a former high school chemistry teacher, Dr. Axene has a passion for teaching. He dedicates professional and personal time to time providing continuing education courses to local EMS and to educating the community on disease prevention. This year, during the height of the influenza epidemic, he presented talks on flu prevention and treatment to several local community groups.

Colleagues say that Dr. Axene is a positive role model for peers, hospital staff and the community. He is known to put his “dad hat” on when caring for pediatric patients, and explains that he cares for patients as if they were part of his own family. He has also been recognized for helping an employee in need of financial help and is known to go above and beyond in other situations.

“Dr. Axene provides our patients with exemplary medical care, and we are excited to see him receive such a well-deserved honor,” said Ernest C. Lynch, III, FACHE, CEO of Medical City McKinney. “He stands as an outstanding example of our commitment to the care and improvement of human life.”