David Ortiz Gave This Dartmouth Doctor His Hall of Fame Award

A Dartmouth doctor spent part of his weekend on the field at Fenway Park, but the real thrill came when Boston Red Sox legend "Big Papi" David Ortiz showed up and gave him his healthcare Hall of Fame award.

Dr. Jordan Gularek, an internist and medical director with Hawthorn Medical Associates Internal Medicine at Brown Health Medical Group, was inducted into the eternalHealth Healthcare Hall of Fame.

The award recognizes healthcare professionals across Massachusetts who have transformed patient experience, strengthened community wellness and shown what Gularek called "unwavering dedication to seniors and the public."

Courtesy Jordan Gularek

Healthcare Hall of Fame Is Not Just for Doctors

The Hall of Fame honors were not just created for doctors. Nurses, administrative staff, support teams, pharmacists, therapists, educators and community health workers were all inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Gularek.

"You don't get recognized often in the medical field," he told The MGM Show. "To have an award that is actually very big and to have David Ortiz be a part of it meant a lot to me, my family, my kids."

Dr. Gularek's Day at Fenway

Gularek's day started with a banquet at the ballpark hours before first pitch. The honorees then went down to the field for opening ceremonies and stayed through the game, enjoying the glorious weather.

Gularek shared a special moment with Big Papi when the slugger picked up the doctor's five-month-old baby. "David held my kid for over five minutes, wouldn't let her go," Gularek said. "It was just a great experience. It was a day my family will never forget."

Courtesy Jordan Gularek

Gularek was sure to spread the credit around. "It's an honor to have Hawthorn be awarded this," he said. "It's also an honor to have Brown University Health be awarded this also."

Why Doctor Gularek Says to Get Your Flu Shot Now

Asked what he is seeing in the exam room these days, Gularek had a warning that has nothing to do with baseball. He is already treating influenza, in early September, including positive cases at nursing homes he visits.

"It's extremely early," he said. "That's something that's brand new that I was not expecting this early. So I would recommend getting your flu shot as soon as possible."