OAFP Foundation Named Dr. Linda Stone 2009 Family Physician Mentorship Award

Dr. Linda Stone of Columbus, Ohio, was named the recipient of the 2009 Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (OAFP/F) Family Physician Mentorship Award.

The Family Physician Mentorship Award recognizes an Ohio family physician practitioner, teacher or preceptor who has exhibited exemplary qualities/characteristics of mentorship excellence.

In her nomination letter, Ashley Holland, a fourth-year medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, Columbus, Ohio, said, “Dr. Linda Stone has been my mentor for the past three years and will always be my role model. She is one of the busiest people I know, yet if someone is in need of help, she will find time to sit down and talk as though she has all the time in the world. Her enthusiasm for family medicine is infectious. As a mentor, she helps with many aspects of career development. She has been the faculty mentor for the family medicine interest group, which has been hugely popular with students and provides them opportunities for one-on-one mentorship, lectures, volunteer opportunities and leadership roles. She hosts monthly family medicine leadership development meetings at her house for the third- and fourth-year medical students so that they can learn about and discuss the practical aspects of family medicine residency, careers and future directions. If one defines a hero as someone who creates safe spaces for others, Dr. Stone is the true embodiment of that ideal.”

Dr. Sarah Sams, co-nominator said, “Dr. Linda Stone has been a mentor to me in many facets of family medicine. From her I learned how to be a more compassionate physician and I am a more humanistic physician because of her mentorship and example. It is also Linda Stone who first encouraged me to become involved with the OAFP board, first as a district director. After becoming a board member she helped me to learn more about the Academy and develop my leadership skills.”

Dr. Stone is an OAFP member and active supporter of OAFP/F. Since 1992, she has served on numerous OAFP committees and held several leadership positions, including president of OAFP. Dr. Stone also served OAFP/F as board trustee from 1994-2006 in many positions, including vice chair, special projects (2005-06); chair, board of trustees (2002-04); and vice chair, funds development (1998-2001). Nationally, Dr. Stone is an active member of American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and supporter of AAFP Foundation (AAFP/F), including serving on its board of trustees (2007-11).

Dr. Stone is a 1979 graduate of OSU College of Medicine and Public Health, where she recently retired from the position of associate dean for student affairs.

During her tenure at OSU College of Medicine, Stone received numerous honors and recognition, including her selection as 2004 Professor of the Year, the OSU College of Medicine’s highest teaching recognition, and the 2009 OSU College of Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Stone accepted her award Aug. 8 during the OAFP’s Members Assembly in Columbus.

Dr. Stone resides with her spouse, Laurence, in Worthington, Ohio.