Ada Stewart, MD, FAAFP – Ohio Academy of Family Physicians

I Read the Story of a Local Family Physician Who “Looked Like Me” and Realized that Family Medicine was My Calling.

My story is one that is considered non-traditional. It began as a pharmacist working in a drugstore in Cleveland, OH, with one who chose pharmacy as a career because growing up in the housing projects of Cleveland, I was never exposed to a doctor other than rare family visits to the emergency room.

I loved science and during career day, my high school chemistry teacher had a pharmacist come in and share his story of working in the community. I was impressed not only by how he was able to serve the community, but also that he “looked” like me.

It was while working many years later as a pharmacist that I read the story of a local family physician who also looked like me caring for the community. She spoke of caring for the “whole person.” By that time, I had experienced significant losses, my mother to late diagnosed breast cancer, my father to heart disease, and many others. I realized that the specialty of family medicine was my calling. I realized the importance of service, advocacy, and leadership.

I began my journey in medical school being actively involved on the local, state, and national levels. I was able to have great individuals who helped guide me on my journey – such as the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians 1995-2022 Executive Vice President (EVP) Ann Spicer. There were many others, too many to name, who helped me become a servant leader. Moving to South Carolina for residency I was able to continue my journey to be a servant leader with the help of people like Paquita Turner the EVP of the South Carolina Academy of Family Physician.

My journey cumulated with the opportunity to serve at the highest level and the highest honor—as president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. I am honored to have served the specialty of family medicine and advocate not only for the specialty, but also for patients and communities. I am honored to stand on the shoulders of many before me and allow others to stand on my shoulders. I am honored to be a friend and mentor to others who will follow me.

Share Your Family Medicine Story

If you’d like to share your story, please email it to Director of Membership Emily Pavoni as a Word document along with at least 2 photos.

Please keep all submissions to no less than 200 words, but no more than 1,000 words, if possible. If you have a Twitter or Facebook account and would like for us to tag you, please provide that in your email as well.