The Mission Doctors Association recognized the work of Michael A. Fitzgerald, M.D., of Liverpool, N.Y., with the "World of Difference" Award, presented Oct. 18 at the Los Angeles archdiocesan White Mass celebrated at Holy Family Church, South Pasadena.

Dr. Fitzgerald was recognized for his commitment to his own community which takes the form of volunteering with the Poverello Clinic, a free clinic for the uninsured. His service has taken him to the Sacre Coeur Hospital in Milot, Haiti, working with Haitian physicians who come to the U.S. for specialized training. He also serves annually as a volunteer physician accompanying and ministering to the sick and disabled who make the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in southern France.

A specialist in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Dr. Fitzgerald and his wife Margaret are parents of five and parishioners of St. Mary's on the Lake in Skaneateles, N.Y.

The Mission Doctors Association was founded in 1959 to support the work of Catholic Doctors and their families serving in mission hospitals and clinics. The "World of Difference" Award is given in recognition of the efforts of a doctor who has responded to Christ's call to "Heal the Sick," as a member of the Catholic faith community. Candidates for the award include those working with the homeless in the U.S. and indigent populations, as well as doctors who have served as medical missionaries in countries around the globe.

For information on the White Mass visit: www.StLukeMassLA.org. For Information on the Mission Doctors Association, contact Elise Frederick, executive director, at 3435 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1940., Los Angeles, CA 90010; (213) 368-1872; info@missiondoctors.org; or www.MissionDoctors.org.