Source: Summa Health Department of Family Medicine
On October 31, Jeff Bachtel, MD, FAAFP, and Ross Black, MD, FAAFP, were honored by the Summa Health Department of Family Medicine during its 22nd Annual Family Medicine Lectureship and Awards Program in Akron, OH.
Drs. Bachtel and Black, both past presidents of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, were recognized for their distinguished service over the years to their patients, colleagues, and community, and for their tireless efforts in promoting the discipline of family medicine.
Dr. Bachtel was selected by his peers for the 2018 Summa Health Family Physician of the Year Award. This award recognizes family physicians who have distinguished themselves in the areas of clinical care, community service, education, and leadership. In presenting the award, Summa Family Medicine Department Chair and OAFP Board Member John DiSabato, MD, FAAFP, cited Dr. Bachtel’s pioneering role in the Greater Akron community as a member of the charter class of the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), establishment of his practice in Tallmadge, OH, and ongoing service as team physician for Tallmadge High School Football. Dr. Bachtel was recognized especially for his dedicated advocacy, through his service to the OAFP as a past president, and as a member of multiple OAFP and American Academy of Family Physicians committees over the years.
Dr. Black received the Department’s Family Medicine Legacy Award. This special award (given only six times over the 22 years of the Lectureship) recognizes those family physicians whose example of excellence in family medicine education, community service, mentoring, and leadership has made a lasting impact among the Department’s members and within family medicine. Dr. DiSabato (a former resident of Dr. Black’s at Summa Akron City), recounted Dr. Black’s service in the U.S. Navy (among his assignments was caring for the families of the famed Blue Angels aerobatic group); his early role at the AAFP in the Education Division; and his talent as a teacher, skill as a clinician, and devotion to his patients. Dr. Black also served the OAFP and the AAFP in typically dedicated fashion, serving as OAFP president and on multiple committees, workgroups, and taskforces across both the OAFP and the AAFP. His community service continues as he serves as a volunteer at the Open M Free Clinic in Akron. Dr. Black’s mentorship and guidance of generations of students, residents, and colleagues is legendary, and his example has served to “pass the torch” to many of today’s leaders.
Dr. Bachtel, in his acceptance, cited Dr. Black as “The person who brought me to my first OAFP meeting.” In addition, Dr. Black was recognized several years ago by the Rice family with the endowment of the Ross R. Black II, MD, Scholarship Fund (directed for students entering into primary care) at NEOMED.
Congratulations to Drs. Bachtel and Black—two “OAFP giants” on their latest (and well-deserved) recognition!