Marshfield Clinic Emeritus Research Clinician Richard Dart, M.D., joins the list of accomplished researchers honored with the Gwen D. Sebold Fellowship for Outstanding Research.

Dr. Dart retired from practice in 2007 after 34 years as a nephrologist at Marshfield Clinic. Since his retirement, he has been an emeritus research clinician with the Center for Human Genetics, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation (MCRF).

He will be honored during a presentation at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the Froehlke Auditorium, Laird Center. A reception will follow.

“I’m deeply honored to have received this award,” Dr. Dart said. “I’ve known the recipients of this award and it’s a privilege to join them. This is a very special recognition.”

The fellowship has been given by D. David “Dewey” Sebold since 1988 to recognize an outstanding medical researcher and support continued research in his or her field. Recipients receive $5,000 and a memorial plaque presented by Sebold in memory of Gwen who grew up in Dorchester, about 30 miles north of Marshfield. She joined Marshfield Clinic as a medical stenographer in 1955 and died in July 1974.

Sebold had high praise for Dr. Dart.

“His accomplishments as a researcher and a clinician, as well as his contributions to the medical profession, are examples of the high quality health care and research that takes place at Marshfield Clinic," Sebold said. "I’m pleased that he was selected to receive Gwen’s fellowship."

Dr. Dart was in a meeting with one of last year’s co-winners, Murray Brilliant, Ph.D., when the meeting was interrupted by an “urgent matter.” That’s when Sebold, Andy Keogh, MCRF Board of Trustees vice chair, and Dr. Dart’s wife, Wendy, entered the office to make the announcement.

Keogh reminded Dr. Dart that he had sat on the committee that chose past winners and how competitive it is to receive the honor.

“It’s very difficult to maintain Dr. Dart’s level of engagement in research during his career while being a physician,” Keogh said. “He never gave up and his world-class work is extraordinary. He is a wonderful physician and clinician who kept his commitment to research and professional activities.”

Dr. Dart described himself as being humbled by the surprise announcement. He shared congratulatory handshakes with research colleagues and attended a small reception afterward.

“All I’ve done in medicine and research is to work on issues that improve how we care for people,” Dr. Dart said. “That has been my motivation.”