The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians will recognize John (Jack) O’Handley, MD, of Columbus, OH, with its 2017 Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award on Saturday, August 12, during its Academy Award Dinner.
Dr. O’Handley is the medical director for Mount Carmel Health System Community Outreach, Columbus, OH, where he precepts medical students and residents on the Outreach Mobile Clinic. He cares for the underserved and manages patient care with limited resources.
“I’ve worked with him for over 20 years. He is special because he is so open to the students and residents that come onboard. He makes them feel welcome the first time they walk in the door,” said Jackie White, APN.
Dr. O’Handley does more than teach. He inspires the students and residents to learn everything about a patient for a well-rounded perspective.
“Dr. O’Handley is a great educator because he is thinking beyond just the physical. He’s a physician so he’s concerned about what’s happening with somebody’s physical health. He’s also paying attention to what their needs are from a spiritual perspective and a holistic perspective,” said Brian Pierson, regional director of outreach for Mount Carmel Health System Community Outreach.
According to his colleagues, Dr. O’Handley is a man of God who always puts the needs of others before himself. Prior to medicine, Dr. O’Handley spent six years as a Trappist Monk. During this time, he was called to be a family physician and family medicine educator.
“Students uniformly speak of his kindness, medical expertise, and teaching skills. He truly remembers what it is like to be a student and in his quiet and unassuming style teaches them the lessons they will need in their own practice. He truly is a servant leader,” said Pat Eckler, MD.
“As I enter my third year of my residency and assume the role of chief resident, I would be remiss to not credit Dr. O’Handley as an instrumental part of my development as both a family medicine physician, leader, and human being devoted to the care of the underserved. It is through his teachings, his compassion, his gentle nature, and sincere care that I have come to appreciate the incredible role that has been blessed onto me as a physician and I can only hope to emulate his practice and garner the same patient following upon graduating residency,” said Mary Garcia-Kumirov, MD, a former student.
Dr. O’Handley held other key family medicine education roles prior to his work with Mount Carmel Community Outreach. He was the residency director at Bethesda Family Practice Residency in Cincinnati and the program director for Mount Carmel Family Practice Residency. Before these roles, Dr. O’Handley’s was in private practice in Lancaster, OH.
“I’ve always looked onto education like throwing a rock into a lake and seeing the ripples go out. Seeing them progress and go out into their medicine fields is what gives me the most satisfaction,” said Dr. O’Handley.
When not on the Outreach Mobile Clinic, Dr. O’Handley works with the Mount Carmel Street Medicine Program, a program he started. He also is a board member with the Asian Health Initiative and a volunteer medical director at Asian Free Clinic.
Dr. O’Handley has gone on several mission trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. He is a RCIA team member at St. Andrew Parish in Columbus.
Dr. O’Handley graduated with his bachelor of science in chemistry from St. Louis University and earned his doctor of medicine at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. He is board certified in family medicine.
Dr. O’Handley and his wife, Hannah, reside in Hilliard, OH, and have four grown children, Kathleen, John, Brendan, and Amy, and eight grandchildren.
The OAFP annually presents the Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award to a family medicine educator that meets and exceeds the criteria of being a capable teacher of family medicine, successful administrator/practitioner, productive researcher/scholar, and inspiring leader. Candidates must also have 10 years post-residency (or equivalent) experience, be actively caring for patients, and be a member of the OAFP.
Dr. O’Handley will receive the Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award at the 2017 OAFP Awards Dinner on Saturday, August 12, from 7-10 p.m. at the Columbus Marriott Northwest in Dublin, OH. Registration to attend the dinner is $44 per person; there is no charge for OAFP members. Reservations can be made online or by calling the OAFP at 800.742.7327.
Also during the awards ceremony, Carlos Menendez, MD, of Greenville, OH, will be presented with the OAFP Family Physician of the Year Award.
OAFP members are welcome to attend the Academy Awards Dinner at no charge; however, pre-registration is required. For more information on the Members Assembly and to register, please visit the OAFP website.