Natividad anesthesiologist named Monterey County Medical Society’s Physician of the Year

The Monterey County Medical Society has named Natividad anesthesiologist Dr. James Hlavacek as the 2019 Physician of the Year.

The award goes to a physician who has made a significant contribution in health care, is a motivator and educator who has good rapport with patients, shows professional competence and acts as a role model for younger physicians.

Hlavacek received his medical degree from University of Nebraska, Omaha, and his residency was at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston. He later completed a cardiac anesthesia fellowship at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia. He worked at hospitals in Massachusetts, Florida, Virginia and Northern California before coming to Monterey County in 1999. He works at Natividad Medical Center and is also on staff at Mee Memorial Hospital in King City.

Hlavacek was a president of the Monterey County Medical Society and serves on its board of directors. He is a member of the California Medical Association, the California Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. In 2017, he was named the Philanthropist of the Year for Natividad Foundation, and in 2018 he was the Philanthropist of the Year for Meals on Wheels Monterey.

Natividad’s CEO, Dr. Gary Gray, said, “Dr. Hlavacek is an excellent physician and a strong advocate for improving the health of our community. He treats all of his patients with compassion, professionalism and care.”