The department of health shall establish a procedure to provide special recognition annually to one or more persons issued a license under this chapter to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery who volunteer medical services to medically underserved areas of this state or to charitable shelters or clinics. Any person may nominate a license holder for consideration by the department. The department shall annually submit to newspapers of general circulation and other publications selected by the department a request for nominations. The request shall describe the required form and content of nominations and indicate a deadline for submitting nominations.
The department may adopt criteria and guidelines for selecting nominees for recognition. The department shall publicize the names, professional accomplishments, and service contributions of the license holders that it recognizes under this section. The department may purchase recognition awards and take other actions to honor such volunteers.