The words of his daughter, Anna Binkley, a force in her own right, explain beautifully why her father inspires this award:
The eldest of three children, I recognized my father possessed qualities I not only admired, but hoped someday to emulate. He was dedicated to patient care and research, compassionate, and generous. As a vascular surgeon, this meant long hours away from home and many missed family gatherings.
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He visited every one of his hospitalized patients twice a day, every day. Our home phone (the only phone in those days) was not for socializing but to be left clear just in case of an emergency at the hospital, a colleague reaching out for a consult, or a bereft family member needing support. He left home early and came back late, tired but satisfied he was doing his absolute best.
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When, as a young adult, I did my physical therapy internship at UCSF Medical Center, nurses and technicians approached me with stories of my father, impressed most that he acknowledged them as equals, remembered them by name (asking after family), and listened to/valued their input, always.
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These co-workers saw my father as a man who prided himself on excellence - dedicated to his profession and to heartfelt interactions with others. They saw him as I did - a unique and wonderful human being.