St. Margaret Health-Dyer Physician Nets Top National Honor

Dr. Albert F. Milford III is shown in his office with a
framed document detailing the Orel F. Martin Medal
award, and wears the medal he received.  

A Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer physician is this year's recipient of the prestigious Orel F. Martin Medal, the highest honor awarded annually by the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Albert F. Milford III, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, who has been with St. Margaret Health since 1988 and in his profession since 1972, received the honor, which the ACOS termed, "a symbol of your outstanding career as an osteopathic surgeon, educator, researcher and leader."

The medal, awarded since 1954, honors Martin, a nationally renowned osteopathic surgeon and ACOS member.

Milford, who joined the ACOS in 1977 and since has held each of its offices, as well as those of countless other medical societies and organizations locally and nationally, said,

"Since the first time I went to an ACOS meeting, I looked up to the winners of this award and never dreamed I one day would receive it. I am very honored that the college remembered me."

Milford was nominated by former students. He switched to a medical career after starting as an educator in 1967, serving as a teaching fellow in biology at Eastern Michigan University. Milford's father was a doctor and three of his four siblings are doctors. But, education is his first love.

"The ACOS supports education and my whole life is dedicated to education. It's not for money or fame. I love the personal satisfaction of helping students, of being able to pass down something to future generations," he added.

Milford served as director of the general surgery residency program at Midwestern University and currently chairs St. Margaret-Health Dyer's surgery department. There, he has been instrumental in placing students, interns and residents from many of Midwestern’s clinical education departments, according to the ACOS.

"Your service to the ACOS makes you eminently deserving of this prestigious award," its presentation statement said.