A Summit Hill native who is on the medical staff of the Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, has been named one of Philadelphia Magazine’s “Top Doctors for 2020.” But for Dr. David O’Gurek, M.D., the recognition, while humbly admitting is “nice,” is really about how teamwork on the front lines - most especially at this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic - is imperative and necessary in all facets of health care.

O’Gurek, a graduate of Marian Catholic High School, St. Joseph’s University and the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, specializes in family medicine, but some of his most important work in Philadelphia has been working with people battling drug addiction, in addition to being summoned to duty treating patients afflicted with the coronavirus.

In addition to continuing to care for patients with opioid use disorders in Temple’s office-based opioid treatment program, where he provides acute, chronic and preventive care largely through telemedicine, O’Gurek directs the TRUST Clinic, as well as a mobile recovery unit, Begin the Turn, which serves a population experiencing homelessness and OUD in the Kensington area of North Philadelphia.

Last month, he and his colleagues attained the “Top Doctors” recognition after having been nominated for the honor by their professional peers.

“The Temple physicians on this year’s list represent 42 different medical specialties, offering further evidence of the medical expertise, high quality care, and innovative treatments and procedures that Temple Health provides to the communities we serve, both locally and regionally,” said Michael A. Young, president and CEO of the Temple University Health System, adding, “Just as their patients benefit significantly from their knowledge and demonstrated dedication to quality care - so, too, does the medical community at-large benefit from their many educational and research contributions.”

According to Susan E. Wiegers, M.D., president and CEO of the Temple Faculty Practice Plan and a senior associate dean of clinical affairs, “This recognition of Temple physicians speaks to the skill, commitment and dedication of our entire health care team.”

While the Temple leaders are quick to extol the work of its physicians, O’Gurek put a different perspective on work in the hospital. “There are definitely amazing people in the area doing amazing work,” he said, noting “Hospital work amidst the worst pandemic ever is challenging for not just doctors, but everyone on the payroll.”

He continued, “I truly appreciate the outpouring of thanks to the health care workers; however, amidst a pandemic, we are all in this together. There is no role greater or smaller than another. Focus on the hospitals go to the health care providers, but we could not do our jobs without the security guards, maintenance workers, housekeeping staff, cafeteria workers, patient transport staff, receptionists, and so on.”

It’s important, O’Gurek said, for the public to show its appreciation to those providing services to the public during periods of shutdowns. “Outside of the hospitals, our grocery store workers, food service delivery workers, and many more deserve salutes and gratitude,” he said. “Additionally, our communities play such a pivotal role in mitigating risk and their willingness to understand the significant importance of the stay-at-home orders, wearing masks and physical distancing is essential to overall efforts.”

He added, “Playing that part - listening to our scientists, our physicians, and our public health workers - is the greatest way to honor the front-line workers.”

O’Gurek said he considers it “truly an honor to be entrusted with the opportunity to work with the communities of North Philadelphia and to do what I do.” He said his exposure to situations in the city medical community “continuously amazes me, especially the resilience within a community that has been inflicted by so much inequity and injustice.”

He explained, “While the media spotlighted the inequity in care associated with COVID-19, this should not be interpreted as a new phenomenon. This indeed has been a persistent byproduct of the ongoing institutional racism and misguided policies of old. And while we may not be responsible, we all are accountable. The effects are lived each day by individuals in the community I serve. And despite even greater struggles during this difficult time, they are hunkering down, following public health practice, and carry such sincere appreciation and concern for us. Not a day goes by during a telemedicine visit, through messages in the electronic health record, or in an encounter where a patient doesn’t catch me by surprise, saying, “but really, how are you doing through all of this, doc?”