[Washington, D.C.] April 29, 2025 — The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) proudly presented its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Michael L. Zollicoffer during the 2025 Leadership Summit on Health Disparities. This honor recognizes Dr. Zollicoffer’s unwavering dedication to equitable healthcare and his transformative impact on the Baltimore community over the past four decades.

Affectionately known as “Dr. Z,” Dr. Zollicoffer has served as a beacon of compassion in Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood. Since founding Life Care Plus in the late 1980s, he has provided care to thousands—regardless of their ability to pay—often sharing his personal phone number and offering around-the-clock support. His practice has become a multigenerational haven, where patients return with their children and grandchildren.

“Dr. Zollicoffer embodies the spirit of community-powered leadership,” said Gary A. Puckrein, PhD, President and CEO of NMQF. “His life’s work is a testament to the power of radical empathy and the belief that healthcare is a human right.”

The award was presented during the Summit’s Leadership Awards Reception and Dinner, held at The Conrad Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year’s Summit, themed “From Data to Action: Uniting to Advance Evidence-Informed Solutions for Medically Underserved Communities,” brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, and advocates to address systemic health disparities. 

Dr. Zollicoffer’s commitment to service was further highlighted when he faced his own health challenges. Diagnosed with colorectal and renal cancers in late 2024, and confronted with insurance barriers, his community rallied to raise over $250,000 for his treatment. Demonstrating his characteristic generosity, Dr. Zollicoffer pledged to reinvest any unused funds back into his clinic to continue serving those in need. 

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Zollicoffer reflected, “You cannot see the patient from a computer. Put it down. Look at their faces, look at their hearts, and look at their souls.” He urged the audience to build systems that uplift the underserved, stating, “If you build that castle, you better build five houses for those who can’t afford them.” 

Dr. Zollicoffer’s legacy is rooted in a family tradition of breaking barriers. His father, Dr. Lawrence Zollicoffer, was among the first Black physicians to integrate the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Following in his father’s footsteps, Dr. Zollicoffer graduated from UNC in 1985 and has since dedicated his career to serving Baltimore’s most vulnerable populations. 

The NMQF Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates individuals who have made enduring contributions to health equity. Dr. Zollicoffer’s life and work exemplify this commitment, offering a blueprint for compassionate, community-centered care.

For more information about Dr. Zollicoffer’s work and the NMQF Leadership Summit, please visit NMQF’s official website.

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About the National Minority Quality Forum

Founded in 1998, National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is a United States-based, health care research, education and advocacy organization whose mission is to reduce patient risk and advance health equity by assuring optimal care for all. The mission is to reduce patient risk of hospitalizations, emergency room visits, disabilities, and death, while also promoting high-quality, long lives, particularly for the most vulnerable. NMQF utilizes data and research to support and mobilize healthcare organizations, leaders, policymakers, and patients in advocating for optimal care for every individual, especially those in minoritized communities. For more information, please visit http://www.nmqf.org.