Awards

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is made up of physicians who go above and beyond their call of duty. Each individual provides a very important component to their community and to the people they serve. This year, the OAFP is pleased to sponsor the following awards and is actively seeking nominations for each category.

The deadline for 2024 nominations is Friday, February 23, 2024.

Family Physician of the Year

This award recognizes family physicians that have exhibited extraordinary, beyond-the-call-of-duty merit, articulated and encouraged members and students to pursue the ideals of family medicine, and conveyed these ideals to the public.

Nominate an individual for the 2024 Family Physician of the Year award.

Learn more about our 2023 Family Physician of the Year Alysia C. Herzog, MD, FAAFP, and watch the following video:

Eligibility Criteria
  • Has 10 years post-residency (or equivalent) experience
  • Is currently and has been a member of the OAFP for a meaningful period of time
  • Is currently in practice.
Selection Process
The Awards Workgroup will select an award recipient based on the demonstration of the following criteria:
  • Is an outstanding family physician role model to peers, medical students, residents, and/or their community
  • Maintains high professional standards and service orientation
  • Provides high quality, family-centered, continuing health care
  • Is active in the community, education, or other public affairs.

Nomination Guidelines & Process
Nominations may be made by any OAFP member, local constituent chapter, family medicine residency program, department of family medicine, or community individual. To check a physician’s membership status, please contact Lauren Heberling or call 800.742.7327.

Individuals who have been nominated but not selected in the past can be nominated in subsequent years. The top three physicians who were nominated but not selected for the 2023 award will automatically be considered as candidates in 2024. Those candidates can only rollover once, but can be re-nominated for consideration beginning the process anew.

Family Medicine Educator of the Year

This award recognizes family physician teachers who have exhibited extraordinary, beyond-the-call-of-duty merit, articulated and encouraged members and students to pursue the ideals of family medicine, and conveyed these ideals to the public.

Nominate an individual for the 2024 Family Medicine Educator of the Year award.

Learn more about our 2023 Family Medicine Educator of the Year Teresa Holt, MD, FAAFP,  and watch the following video:

Eligibility Criteria
  • Is currently and has been a member of the OAFP for a meaningful period of time
  • Has 10 years post-residency (or equivalent) experience
  • Is actively caring for patients.
Selection Process
The Awards Workgroup will select an award recipient based on demonstration of the following criteria:
  • Is an outstanding teacher of family medicine
  • Is a successful education administrator or practitioner
  • Is a productive researcher/scholar
  • Is an inspiring leader.

Nomination Guidelines & Process
Nominations may be made by any OAFP member, local constituent chapter, family medicine residency program, department of family medicine, or community individual. To check a physician’s membership status, please contact Lauren Heberling or call 800.742.7327.

Individuals who have been nominated but not selected in the past can be nominated in subsequent years. The top three physicians who were nominated but not selected for the 2023 award will automatically be considered as candidates in 2024. Those candidates can only rollover once, but can be re-nominated for consideration beginning the process anew.

Resident Leadership Award

This award annually recognizes a resident or fellow in Ohio who has exhibited leadership in the OAFP as well as the following qualities:
  • Promotion of family medicine
  • Recruitment
  • Professionalism
  • Research skills
  • Community service
  • Teaching skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Role model to peers.

Learn more about our 2023 Resident Leadership Award recipient Amara Ugwu-Decker, MD, MPH.

Nomination Guidelines & Process
Nominations may be made by individuals who have knowledge of the nominee’s accomplishments including OAFP members, faculty, office staff, health care professionals, and fellow residents and medical students. A nominee must be a resident member of the OAFP. To check a resident’s membership status, please contact the OAFP or call 800.742.7327.

To nominate a resident, please send a letter of recommendation (two page maximum) to:
OAFP Awards Workgroup
Ohio Academy of Family Physicians
4075 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43214-3296
Fax: 614.267.9191
Email: lheberling@ohioafp.org

Friend of Family Medicine

This award recognizes an elected official, member of the media (individual or organization), or community individual who has worked on, been involved with, or reported on issues related to family medicine in Ohio.

Learn more about our 2023 Friend of Family Medicine Award recipient Lori S. Martensen.

Who Can Be Nominated?
  • Any Ohio elected official
  • Media outlets in Ohio
  • Print and broadcast reporters and hosts for Ohio media outlets
  • Editors for Ohio media outlets
  • Publishers for Ohio media outlets
  • Freelance writers who have published in Ohio newspapers or magazines
  • Community individuals who have played an important role in family medicine.
Nomination Guidelines & Process
Nominations may be made by OAFP members, medical student and resident members, members of the media, and the public. Nominations must include the following items and nominators may also include a recommendation letter (two page maximum):
  • For members of the media, the person making the nomination should include a copy of any articles, broadcasts (date and title of story that aired is sufficient), or other examples of work that exhibit the nominee’s support of family medicine.
  • For elected officials and community individuals, the person making the nomination should include a letter of recommendation not to exceed two pages and any examples of work that exhibit the nominee’s support of family medicine if applicable.
  • Any work, articles, or broadcasts that represent a nominee’s support of family medicine must have be completed between January 1 and December 31, 2023.
Please complete and submit the nomination form and send corresponding articles, broadcasts (date and title of story that aired is sufficient), or other examples of work that exhibit the nominee’s support of family medicine to:

OAFP Awards Workgroup
Ohio Academy of Family Physicians
4075 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43214-3296
Fax: 614.267.9191
Email: lheberling@ohioafp.org

Torchlight Leadership Award

Presented yearly at the discretion of the OAFP Board of Directors, this award honors an Academy leader who best champions the mission and vision of the OAFP to improve the health of patients by advocating for and advancing the specialty of family medicine and providing valuable solutions to the diverse needs of members.

National Awards

The American Academy of Family Physicians also sponsors a variety of awards each year. If you would like more information on national awards, please contact the OAFP or visit the AAFP website.