Among the 25 recipients of $500,000 MacArthur Foundation "genius grants”, there were four doctors whose achievements have been recognized.

Regina Benjamin, 39, created the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in Alabama. But hurricane Katrina destroyed it and volunteers rebuild it. Several months later, Benjamin’s family-practice clinic was reconstructed again after it had burned down. She never thought of becoming a physician by now she cares for every single individual who comes to the clinic. Besides, she goes to remote rural regions where she treats immobile patients.

"The patients I treat have their own disasters. Hopefully this grant will help them in some way. It will be as much theirs as it is mine," Benjamin said.

Wafaa El-Sadr, 58, another winner of this year's MacArthur Foundation "genius grants," recruited tuberculosis patients to work as monitors who make sure that other patients with the infectious disease take their medicines when they’re should. She is involved in finding effective treatments not only for TB, but also for HIV/AIDS.

Peter Pronovost, 43, was awarded for his work aimed at ensuring that hospital staff took regular precautions to diminish the risk of infections. He is developing new clinical practices for health care facilities that enhance patients’ safety and avoid doctors’ and nurses’ errors.

Diane Meier, 56, is the Director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), a national group preoccupied with augmenting the number and quality of palliative care programs in the U.S. She was awarded of $500,000 for the support she gave to severely ill patients.