Stefan Kertesz, MD
2025 Honoree
Stefan G. Kertesz, MD, MSc is Professor of Medicine at the Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a physician-investigator with the Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS).
Trained in internal medicine and addiction medicine, Dr. Kertesz began his clinical career as a front-line physician with the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program in 1996. Since that time he has maintained a sharp clinical, educational and research focus on enhancing health care delivery for populations at high risk of receiving poor care in mainstream health care systems.
His research has included a long-term interest in care for populations experiencing homelessness, including housing and primary care. He has also led in advocacy and research focused on the care of patients with pain, disability and a history of long-term opioid receipt. Dr. Kertesz cohosts a podcast “On Becoming a Healer” with Saul Weiner, author of a book by that title. Dr. Kertesz says he has drawn inspiration from Dr. Albert Schweitzer who wrote “I should make my life my argument”.