Dr. Thomas E. Spicer of Rock Springs is the recipient of the University of Wyoming Trustees' Award of Merit.
Spicer received the board's highest honor during his final meeting as a member of the UW Board of Trustees Jan. 23 -- a position he held for two terms, spanning 12 years.
"Dr. Spicer's colleagues on the Board of Trustees recognized his excellent leadership abilities and in the past 12 years elected him as a member or chair of every standing committee of the board, to terms as treasurer and vice president, and to two terms as president of the Board of Trustees," UW President Tom Buchanan said. "Dr. Spicer's forthright manner, clarity of thought, and thoughtful concern for both the University of Wyoming and the citizens of the state have always helped guide the Board of Trustees in its decision making."
Buchanan said Spicer's leadership skills helped in his roles on the UW Foundation Board, the UW Alumni Association Board of Directors, the UW Health Sciences Strategic Planning Council and the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors, which in 2003 recognized him as an Outstanding Alumnus of the college.
Spicer graduated with honors from UW, receiving a B.S. (1970) degree in zoology before pursuing his medical degree at the University of Washington. He returned to his hometown of Rock Springs to practice medicine and is recognized as one of the region's foremost cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons.
He is recognized as a leader in Wyoming's medical community and has served on various committees, commissions and professional organizations and was named a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He was honored in 1996 with the Wyoming Physician of the Year Ayers Wyeth Recognition in Community Service Award.
Spicer helped to establish UW's involvement in the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) Medical Education Program and served on the admissions committee from 1996-2000.
He and his wife, Debbe, have three children Justin, Sarah and Emily.
"Dr. Spicer will forever and always be one of the greatest champions of his beloved
University of Wyoming," Buchanan said.
Posted on Friday, January 23, 2009
