Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital officials recently announced that Drs. Peter DiCorleto, James Boerner, and Tom Johns were recognized with distinguished honors at the hospital's annual board meeting.

Dr. Peter DiCorleto has been named Physician of the Year, Dr. James Boerner received the Clinical Excellence award, and Dr. Tom Johns received the Olin Williams Distinguished Service award.

"I am honored to recognize these three physicians who provide exceptional care to our patients and their families," said Gordon Ferguson, President and CEO of Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital. "Each of these physicians truly lives the Saint Thomas mission to provide compassionate care to all, especially those most vulnerable, and dedicates their service to improve the health of individuals in Rutherford County and surrounding communities."

Honored physicians were chosen by their medical staff peers. Areas for consideration when nominating Physician of the Year include longevity on the medical staff, hospital service, medical staff leadership, offices, committees, hospital board membership, medical and community service, and service to the poor and vulnerable.

Dr. Peter DiCorleto

Dr. Peter DiCorleto, M.D., internal medicine, joined Saint Thomas Rutherford in 1996 and currently serves as Chairman of the System Ministry Collaborative Committee at Saint Thomas Rutherford. In his more than two decades of service at Saint Thomas Rutherford, Dr. DiCorleto has served in numerous leadership roles including former Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, Credentials Committee Chairman, Physicians Planning Committee Chairman, Bylaws Committee Chairman, and Medical Executive Committee Chairman. He continues a traditional medical practice in the community by not only seeing his patients in his office, but admits and rounds, as well as follows those that go into extended care.

Prior to joining Saint Thomas Rutherford, Dr. DiCorleto had a medical practice in Connecticut for many years with offices in Winsted and New Hartford. Dr. DiCorleto earned his medical degree from University of Connecticut School of medicine and holds a Master's Degree in Genetics.

The Clinical Excellence Award acknowledges efforts to bring new skills and techniques to the medical community, serving in a teaching role for the medical community and high regard from clinical peers.

Dr. James Boerner

Dr. James Boerner, M.D., OB/GYN, joined Saint Thomas Rutherford medical staff in 1981. Dr. Boerner was awarded the Clinical Excellence for his special attention to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay or their social status. Dr. Boerner is well respected by his fellow physicians and is actively involved in local civic organizations, including the Noon Rotary Club, Guidance Center Board, and a supporter of the Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation. Dr. Boerner delivered the last baby at Middle Tennessee Medical Center and the first baby at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital. As a physician leader, Dr. Boerner has served on a number of committees, including: Quality Assurance, Clinical Monitoring, Special Care, and Infection Control. He currently serves as a laborist and runs a private practice. Dr. Boerner earned his medical degree at the University of Louisville Medical School and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital.

The Olin Williams Distinguished Service Award was created in memory of Dr. Olin Williams, a general surgeon in Murfreesboro known to have been a compassionate, skilled and gifted surgeon heavily involved in community and church. This award is given to physician who is dedicated to the betterment of Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital and the community and who has shown great wisdom and compassion throughout their medical career.

Dr. Tom Johns

Dr. Tom Johns, M.D., orthopedic surgeon joined the medical staff in 1978 and opened an orthopedic practice. Dr. Johns is most known for his work with high school and college athletes, and he has served as team physician for Rutherford County schools and MTSU Blue Raider athletics for more than 30 years. Dr. Johns is more known by his hugs than his handshake, and always has a warm smile. Dr. Johns has received a number of accolades in his more than four decades of medical work, including being chosen to serve as a physician for track and field in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, and being awarded the Thomas A. Brady award in 2010 from The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. He also served as a delegate for the State of Tennessee in the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine from 2000-2003. Dr. Johns grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis and completed his residency at Tampa General. He completed fellowships in orthopedics at Vanderbilt University and Nashville VA.