Laramie doctor receives Wyoming’s 2023 Jefferson Award

CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - You, our viewers, nominated nearly 40 volunteers... From around the state... For Wyoming’s Jefferson Award this year.

Of those 39 nominees, a panel of judges narrowed it down to four finalists. Today the awards banquet to honor those finalists took place in Casper, and this year’s winner was announced.

Hundreds of volunteers, family, and friends gathered in a ballroom at the Ramkota Hotel for the Jefferson Awards banquet. Wyoming News Now General Manager Jim Beck provided the keynote address. “There are not folks who sought awards or recognition for what they do. But they deserve it. That’s what we’re here for today: to shine a light on those efforts and accomplishments and efforts of those who didn’t ask for it. But serve as inspiration for the rest of us.”

One of the special guests in attendance was U.S. Senator John Barrasso, who was proud of his fellow Wyomingnites. “You know I think it’s interesting, when you have so many people nominated, that the first lady in the state is nominated... And she doesn’t even make it to the final four... And she is feeding the hungry! (Audience laughs) That tells you the quality and the caliber of the work that’s being done by everyone here.”

Two of the finalists... Lauren Groves of Bosom Buddies and youth counselor Vincent Galici were in attendance to receive their medallions. Dr. Mike Comly of Laramie’s Downtown Clinic was not able to attend because he unfortunately caught COVID. The irony? He was judged to be the winner! However, when I first met Dr. Comly a couple of weeks ago, I asked him how it felt to be nominated.

Comly replied, “Undeserving, for sure. Like I say, Dr. Dan Cline should have been the one getting all this stuff. He was a remarkable person. But I didn’t really know what the Jefferson Awards were, until I started looking it up. Like I say, you know, I’m just... I’m just an average guy. Why in the hell would I be singled out? But, it’s an honor.”

Dr. Comly now gets to represent the state of Wyoming at the national Jefferson Awards in Washington, DC later this year.

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