Dr. Wunderink Receives Mecklenburg Distinguished Physician Award

July 23, 2026 | 2 min. read

​Pulmonologist Richard G. Wunderink, MD, was honored with the Gary A. Mecklenburg Distinguished Physician Award during the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Medical Staff Quarterly Meeting. One of the hospital’s most prestigious awards, the Mecklenburg Award is presented each year to a physician who embodies professionalism and humanism, and demonstrates a strong commitment to enriching the lives of others through research, teaching, patient care or community outreach.

Scott Budinger, MD, presented the award, which is based on peer nominations. Dr. Wunderink’s peers praised his pioneering research in pneumonia care, comforting demeanor and support for those facing devastating illness, legendary mentorship, and ability to inspire collaboration among teams.
 
Here are some of his nominators’ remarks:

• “Dr. Wunderink has provided exceptional, compassionate care to critically ill patients and their families for over two decades. As a master clinician and longstanding medical director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at NMH, he has shaped the standard of care in our health system. He leads by example — listening intently, communicating clearly and guiding teams through the most complex clinical situations with humility, empathy and sometimes humor. Families facing devastating illness often turn to him for clarity and comfort, and he never fails to provide both.”

 

• “His clinical service is exemplary. Dr. Wunderink is unfailingly the first to volunteer when a gap in coverage arises — during holidays, emergencies or times of system strain. He has served on service during virtually every critical surge over the last 20 years. His presence is reassuring to patients, nurses and colleagues alike, and he remains a tireless advocate for excellence in ICU care.”

 

• “Dr. Wunderink is also a scientific pioneer whose research has transformed the care of patients with pneumonia. He has authored hundreds of high-impact studies and co-chaired several key national and international guideline committees. As principal investigator of the NIH/NIAID-funded SCRIPT consortium (U19AI135964), he leads a major national effort to understand the host-pathogen interface in pneumonia and develop new, targeted treatments for critically ill patients. His work has driven the development of novel antibiotics and diagnostics now in clinical use. Recognized as one of Clarivate’s ‘Highly Cited Researchers’ in 2022 and 2023, his scholarly influence is global.”
  
  
• “He is a unifying force — bringing together Infectious Disease and Critical Care Medicine to create an integrated, team-based approach to patient care and research. His mentorship is legendary; many leading physician-scientists at Northwestern attribute their careers to his support and inspiration. His impact on medical education spans from bedside rounds with residents to co-investigator roles on NIH grants with junior faculty. Dr. Wunderink’s career has been devoted to enriching the lives of others — through outstanding clinical care, groundbreaking research and generous mentorship. He embodies the spirit of the Mecklenburg Award in every way, and I urge you to recognize him with this honor.”

 
Congratulations, Dr. Wunderink!

​​Previous Mecklenburg Award recipients

• Ritu Nayar, MD (2025)​

             Pathology

• David N. Zull, MD (2024)
  Emergency Medicine
• Robert S. Feder, MD (2023)
  Ophthalmology
• Leo I. Gordon, MD (2022)
  Oncology
• Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc (2021)
  Cardiology
• Joan M. Anzia, MD (2020)
  Psychiatry
• Nathanial Soper, MD (2019)
  General Surgery
• Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD (2018)
  Gastroenterology
• Michael L. Socol, MD (2017)
  Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Sheridan N. Meyers, MD (2016)
  ​Cardiology

• Sambasiva Rao, MD (2015) 
  Pathology
• Mary Beth Richmond, MD (2014)
  Internal Medicine
• Harold “Skip” Pelzer, MD (2013) 
  Otolaryngology
• Neil J. Stone, MD (2012) 
  Cardiology
• Gerald Ujiki, MD (2011) 
  General Surgery
• Mark Molitch, MD (2010) 
  Endocrinology
• Ruth Blencoe Deddish, MD (2009) 
  Neonatology
• Jeffrey D. Kopin, MD (2008) 
  Internal Medicine
• William Pearce, MD (2007, inaugural)

​             Vascular Surgery