William Galbraith
Physician
Mercy Medical Center-Cedar Rapids

William B. Galbraith, M.D., personifies the truest definition of a “Hospital Hero.”  For years, he has reached out to those in need.  His selfless commitment to his practice and the community is remarkable and genuine, a reflection of his true character.

His professional knowledge, skill and expertise as a medical practitioner are impeccable. Dr. Galbraith directed the University of Iowa Medical Outpatient Clinic for four years and practiced internal medicine for more than 30 years in Cedar Rapids. He was a consultant internist before subspecialty internal medicine became the rule. He was president of the Linn County Medical Society, the medical staff of Mercy Medical Center and a Director/Emeritus Director of the American Board of Internal Medicine. His efforts established the Crawford Diabetes Education Center at Mercy in 1986 and he served on its board.  Upon retirement from private practice, he returned to the university as a Professor of Clinical Internal Medicine before retiring again in 1998.

But Dr. Galbraith truly shines in his tireless advocacy for those with the most urgent need for health care: the working poor.  His leadership helped establish the Community Health Free Clinic in 2001. Funded entirely through charitable donations, this clinic has become a major medical facility in its own right, tending to the medical needs of the uninsured and under-served of east-central Iowa.

But the clinic would not be where it is today without Dr. Galbraith’s perseverance. Thanks to his acumen in organizing, fund-raising and problem-solving, the Community Health Free Clinic is still able to charge no fees for its services.

Clinic co-founder Darlene Schmidt characterizes Dr. Galbraith as a “one of a kind” gentleman, consensus builder, visionary, listener and patient advocate.  Colleagues praise him as a healer and mentor whose moral and ethical standards are above reproach.