Teresa Holt, MD, FAAFP

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is pleased to announce that Teresa Holt, MD, FAAFP, will receive its 2023 Family Medicine Educator of the Year award.

The OAFP annually presents the Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award to a family medicine educator who exhibits extraordinary, beyond-the-call-of-duty merit, encourages students to pursue the ideals of family medicine, participates in research, and is an inspiring leader.

“I figured out very early on that education was my way out of an unstable upbringing,” explained Dr. Holt. “I was born to a teen mom in an already strained and abusive marriage. We struggled with food and housing insecurity. If I was to build a path toward more stability for my own family, I knew I needed education to find a career that would allow for the independence that eluded so many women in my family.”

With the guidance of many inspiring teachers of her own, Dr. Holt has become an educator that continuously uplifts and prepares the future of family medicine.

Dr. Holt is chair of the family medicine department at the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus, OH; an assistant director of family medicine at The Ohio State University (OSU); and an adjunct clinical associate professor at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.

She earned her medical degree from the OSU College of Medicine and graduated from the OhioHealth Grant Family Medicine Residency Program in 2002 where she served as chief resident.

“I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Holt since she matched with our residency,” said Sarah Sams, MD, FAAFP. “From the time she began residency, Dr. Holt was teaching her fellow residents and medical students. She is a maven among mavens, able to recall and teach the most up-to-date, evidence-based medicine on a moment’s notice.”

Dr. Holt has been given numerous awards and honors over the course of her 24 years as an educator and physician, including being named Grant Medical Center’s “Teacher of the Year” on four different occasions.

Each of her colleagues who contributed to her nomination recall Dr. Holt’s unique ability to engage everyone in the room during one of her presentations or lectures. From a small group of students, a class of residents, or an audience of colleagues participating in an American Academy of Family Physicians Board Review course, Dr. Holt has a knack for making family medicine education fun and memorable.

“I hope they [students] take away the passion I feel for my patients and for medicine in general, said Dr. Holt.” “I think it is really easy to get bogged down with the stress of medicine, but when you just savor each patient encounter and try to learn something new every day, I think your emotional cup never runs empty.”

Dr. Holt resides in Bexley, OH, with her family. “I would like to thank my mom who never questioned my big ideas and believed in them all—even, perhaps, before I did.  And most importantly, I want to thank my husband, Chris, and our daughters, Jordan, Makenzie, and Sydney, who continue to put up with the long hours to allow me to have this amazing career that truly moves me.”

The OAFP congratulates Dr. Holt for this recognition.

To learn more about the Family Medicine Educator of the Year award, please visit the OAFP website.

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is a statewide, professional association with more than 5,200 members, including practicing physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students. The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, both sexes, and every disease entity. Family physicians provide comprehensive, continuing care to all members of the family. For more information, please visit www.ohioafp.org.

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Editor’s Note
To receive a copy of Dr. Holt’s photograph, please email Communications Manager Lauren Heberling.