Dr. Paulino D. Sambat, a physician who practiced for 43 years in Spotsylvania, has been selected the 2016 recipient of the county’s annual Governor Spotswood Award.
The award will be presented at a public ceremony and reception at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 16, in the Marshall Center Senior Center, 8800 Courthouse Rd., in Spotsylvania.
Dr. Sambat received his medical degree in the Philippines, and came to institutions in New York City and New Jersey for further training.
After passing his medical boards in Virginia, he and his wife Perla, a registered nurse, came to live and practice in Spotsylvania in 1972. When they arrived, there had not been a doctor in residence in the county for six years. The Spotsylvania County Woman’s Club had recruited Sambat, and helped him establish his practice with fundraising efforts.
For years, Sambat maintained a primary care practice as a sole practitioner, while also working nights at Mary Washington Hospital as an attending physician and surgeon. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad (SVRS).
He offered no-cost physicals for rescue volunteers, and continuously served as medical advisor to the SVRS.
He organized free flu-shot clinics and also donated physician time to residents at the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter.
Sambat retired from private practice at age 75 in January 2016, donating a large part of his medical equipment and supplies to free clinics in the United States. He was recognized by Virginia General Assembly in 2016 for his years of service to the community.
He is continuing his volunteer practice at Moss Free Clinic, which serves uninsured and low-income patients.
The Governor Spotswood Award winner is chosen by a committee of Spotsylvania residents, who review nominations submitted by the public.
