Kaplan Award

Murrel H. Kaplan, MD Award

Murrel H. Kaplan, M.D. was the Chief of Internal Medicine at Touro Infirmary from 1957-1962 and served his patients and the hospital with distinction as a member of the medical staff for 50 years, from 1937-1986.

The Compassionate Physician Award bearing his name was generously endowed by his family and friends in December 1986 and was originally given to a graduating medical student.

Today, the award recognizes a Touro physician who demonstrates compassion, empathy, respect for the patient as a whole person, and genuine care for the patient’s welfare for which Dr. Kaplan was so highly esteemed. The physician must be an active physician with Touro who demonstrates compassion and respect for their patients, staff, and peers.

Honor your compassionate physician by making a donation.

Donate in honor of my physician

The 2026 Kaplan Compassionate Physician Award recipient is gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Joan Cheng!

The Touro Infirmary Foundation along with Dr. Cheng's patients and colleagues will honor her at the 2026 Silver Scope Soiree on Thursday, September 10 from 6-9pm at the Audubon Clubhouse.

Purchase your ticket to the Silver Scope Soiree

Past Kaplan Award Honorees:

• 1987 - Stephanie Ruth Brown, M.D.
• 1987 - Robert Allen Shankerman, M.D.
• 1988 – Jonathan Boraski, M.D.
• 1989 – Phillip Y. Roland, M.D.
• 1990 – Jaculeen A. Dano, M.D.
• 1991 – Bretley Todd Sitzman, M.D.
• 1992 – William Fox Moore, M.D.
• 1993 – Darin D. Signorelli, M.D.
• 1994 – Charles R. Parsiola, M.D.
• 1995 – Arnold Alper, Jr., M.D.
• 1996 – D. Patrick Martin, M.D.
• 1997 – Paul R. Hlandon, M.D.
• 1998 – Jeremy Clyde Johnson, M.D.
• 1999 – Heidi L. Berkheimer, M.D.
• 2000 – Barry K. Young, M.D.
• 2001 – Suzanne Buckley, M.D.
• 2002 – Mark Skains, M.D.
• 2012 – Salvador Caputto, M.D.
• 2013 – Jack Jacob, M.D.
• 2014 – Nathan Wexler, M.D.
• 2015 – Frank Wilklow, M.D.
• 2016 – Rebecca U. Perret, M.D.
• 2017 – Daniel Rupley, M.D.
• 2018 – Alfred John Colfry III, M.D.
• 2019 Robert Occhipinti, M.D.
• 2022 Donna Waters, M.D.
• 2024 William von Almen, M.D.
• 2025 Louis P, du Treil, MD
• 2023 Elly Zakris, M.D.