Elizabeth Huff

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is proud to recognize Elizabeth Huff, residency coordinator for the Wright State University Rural Family Medicine Residency Program at Family Health Services of Darke County, as the 2026 Friend of Family Medicine award recipient.

The Friend of Family Medicine Award honors individuals whose dedication, leadership, and service have significantly advanced family medicine and strengthened the specialty’s impact on patients, physicians, and communities.

With more than 15 years of experience in healthcare administration and graduate medical education, Elizabeth has become a driving force behind one of Ohio’s newest rural family medicine training programs.

“Rural communities deserve access to high-quality primary care close to home,” explained Elizabeth. “I am proud to support a residency program that is helping build the family medicine workforce needed to serve Ohio’s rural and underserved populations.”

Elizabeth began her career in frontline patient care operations, serving as a medical receptionist with Intrepid Care and later with the Family Health Services of Darke County. In 2020, she advanced into an administrative assistant role, providing executive-level support and coordinating organizational initiatives, communications, onboarding activities, and operational projects. Since 2022, she has served as the residency coordinator for the Wright State University Rural Family Medicine Residency Program, where she provides administrative leadership for recruitment, accreditation, resident education, faculty operations, scheduling, evaluation tracking, and program implementation. In this role, she actively supports the growth of the rural training pathway and increases access to primary care physicians in rural Ohio communities.

“Elizabeth Huff is the heart and backbone of our rural residency program and a true embodiment of the OAFP Friend of Family Medicine Award,” said award nominator George Matar, MD. “She has been a tireless advocate for the residency from its inception, playing a critical role in helping build the program from the ground up and shaping its culture, structure, and success.”

Program Director Carlos Menendez, MD, echoes Elizabeth’s integral involvement in the residency program’s success. “Ms. Huff brings an intelligence, grace, and empathy to her work that is unmatched,” he explains. “After we were able to obtain a grant to help us start the program, we undertook endless planning meetings—Elizabeth kept us on schedule, prepared agendas, and helped with follow-up. Once we were accredited, she went right back to work to maintain our accreditation, set us up for the Match, and develop an application process for residents.”

The program has successfully filled each residency class in its first three years of existence.

Elizabeth previously received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers for her dedication to the Ohio Primary Care Workforce Initiative. She is also an active member of the Association of Family Medicine Administration (AFMA) and regularly participates in national professional development and leadership conferences focused on graduate medical education and family medicine residency administration.

“I am truly humbled and grateful to be selected as the OAFP’s 2026 Friend of Family Medicine Award recipient,” said Elizabeth. “Supporting family medicine residents and helping to develop the future physician workforce has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career, and I am honored to be recognized by an organization so dedicated to advancing family medicine across Ohio.

“I appreciate the OAFP’s recognition of the work being done through the Wright State University Rural Family Medicine Residency Program and the Family Health Services of Darke County. It has been a privilege to play a role in helping train and support physicians who will go on to serve patients and communities throughout Ohio and beyond.”

The OAFP congratulates Elizabeth Huff for receiving the 2026 Friend of Family Medicine Award and thanks her for her extraordinary dedication to family medicine, rural physician training, and improved access to primary care across Ohio.

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

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is a statewide, professional association with more than 4,400 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, visit the OAFP website.

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