Awards & Nominations
The Georgia Academy of Family Physicians honors members exemplifying excellence in the practice of family medicine and for their national, state chapter and community-based leadership roles and contributions to clinical research and health care.
2025 Awards Criteria Nomination Information
Note: All nominations must be submitted with the following items:
Nomination Application
Curriculum Vitae
Recommendations Letter (if applicable)
Student & Resident Awards
Deadline: April 18, 2025
Active Physician Awards
Deadline May 16, 2025
Past Award Winners
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The Family Medicine Resident of the Year Award is to honor a deserving GAFP resident who has been a leader in community and professional affairs, along with making an outstanding contribution to the profession.
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The Keith Ellis Resident Scholarship is awarded to a deserving chief/co-chief resident, who has been a leader in academic/community affairs and one who is also making outstanding contributions to the profession or community
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This award, in memory of Thomas Asbury Sappington, MD, a dedicated family physician from Thomaston, originally was presented to high-school seniors for completing projects that best promoted the understanding of family medicine. In 1999 the criteria was changed, the award is given to one graduating medical student from each of the medical schools. The recipient must attend a Georgia Residency Program.
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This award is for members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support their communities; physicians who have made outstanding contributions in welfare, education, health, government or the arts.
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This award is for members who have been leaders in professional affairs, along with making outstanding contributions to the profession or the community.
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The Family Medicine Educator of the Year is to honor a deserving member who has been a leader in academic, community and professional affairs, along with making an outstanding contribution to the profession.
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Family Medicine Resident of the Year
| 2024 | Alexandria Poitier, MD | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2023 | Samuel Nwaobi, MD | Columbus |
| 2022 | Macy McNair. MD | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2021 | Zach McGalliard, MD, MPH | Savannah Family Medicine Residency Program |
| 2020 | Chivon Stubbs, MD | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2019 | Natalie Britt, MD | Savannah Family Medicine Residency Program |
| 2018 | Karla van Rensburg Owen, DO | Columbus Family Medicine Residency Program |
| 2017 | Chetan Patel, MD | Columbus Family Medicine Residency Program |
| 2016 | Edward Agabin, MD | Augusta University, Medical College of Georgia |
| 2015 | A. Phil Carter, MD | Floyd |
| 2014 | P. J. Lynn, MD | Floyd |
| 2013 | Wilhelmina Prinssen, MD | Emory |
| 2012 | Ann Marie Lam, MD | Emory |
| 2011 | Jennifer Malcolm, DO | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2009 | Jennifer Herbert, MD | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2008 | Tanya Pandya, DO, MBA | Emory |
| 2007 | Justin F. Harrell, MD | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2006 | Jairai Goberdhan, MD | Medical Center of Central GA |
| 2006 | Sonal Patil, MD | Emory |
| 2005 | Ryan R. Rees, MD | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2004 | Michelle Y. Evans, MD | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2003 | Jameelah Gator, MD | Emory |
| 2002 | Anne Lang Dunlop, MD, MPH | Emory |
| 2002 | Eddie Richardson, Jr., MD | Columbus |
| 2001 | Cheryl Hawley Jordan, MD | Emory |
| 2000 | Judith Nance, MD | Savannah |
| 1999 | Hilary L. Canipes, MD | Savannah |
| 1998 | Tod Bethea, MD | Medical Center of Central GA |
| 1997 | Shaun Franklin, MD | Savannah |
| 1996 | Rebecca Hammond, MD | Savannah |
| 1995 | James Everett, MD | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 1994 | Rosa King, MD | Savannah |
| 1993 | Mark Overbay, MD | Savannah |
| 1992 | Gary Hunt, MD | Floyd |
| 1991 | Raquel Watson, MD | Medical Center of Central GA - Macon |
| 1990 | Adam Goldstein, MD | Augusta |
| 1989 | Gregory Foster, MD | Columbus |
| 1988 | Claire Hicks, MD | Medical Center of Central GA – Macon |
| 1987 | Alfred Johnson, MD | Rome |
| 1987 | David Morris, MD | Savannah |
| 1986 | Bruce Johnson, MD | Savannah |
| 1985 | John Aicher, MD | Columbus |
| 1985 | William Hutchings, II, MD | Medical Center of Central GA - Macon |
| 1984 | Patrick Barmore, MD | Augusta |
| 1983 | Russell Hostletler, MD | Medical Center of Central GA - Macon |
| 1982 | Ben Thomas, MD | Savannah |
Keith Ellis Resident Scholarship
| 2024 | Corey Boggs, MD | Morehouse |
| 2023 | Macy Tabb, DO | Gainesville |
| 2022 | Khaja Kamal Mohiuddin, MD | Atlanta |
| 2021 | Deevee Sanchez, DO | Floyd Family Medicine Residency Program |
| 2020 | Ryan Smith, MD | Emory |
| 2019 | Natalie Britt, MD MD | Savannah Family Medicine Residency Program |
| 2018 | Daniel Feckoury, MD | Emory |
| 2017 | Mary Keith, MD | Savannah Family Medicine Residency Program |
| 2016 | Naheed Lakhani, MD | Emory |
| 2015 | Jason Varghese, MD | Georgia Regents University |
| 2014 | Jennifer Anne Burkmar, MD | Emory |
| 2013 | Isioma Okwumabua, MD | Morehouse |
| 2012 | Jose Ventura, MD | Morehouse |
| 2011 | Viktoria Nurpeisov, MD | Atlanta Medical Center |
| 2010 | Jonathan Tsung M. Hsu, MD | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2009 | Marzena Slater, MD | Emory |
| 2008 | Leena Mane, MD | Emory |
| 2007 | Keren Holmes, MD | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2006 | James Oliviere, Jr., MD | Macon |
| 2005 | Nichole LeBoyd, MD | Morehouse |
| 2004 | Samantha Brown-Parks, MD | Emory |
| 2003 | Benjamin Harrell, MD | Floyd |
| 2002 | Iyotsna Prasad, MD | Emory |
T.A. Sappington Award
| 2024 | Shant Ohanian | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2024 | Michelle Simmons Sanders | Mercer SOM - Macon |
| 2024 | Sage Havrilla | Mercer SOM - Savannah |
| 2024 | Feruza Bezgunova | PCOM Suwanee |
| 2024 | Diamond Clarke | Morehouse |
| 2024 | Nikolas Jen | PCOM – Moultrie |
| 2023 | Tristian Ruiz | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2023 | Todd Martin Wood | Mercer SOM - Columbus |
| 2023 | Chase Shook | Mercer SOM - Macon |
| 2023 | Benjamin Bridges | Mercer SOM - Savannah |
| 2023 | Brejon Childers | Morehouse SOM |
| 2023 | James Trent Griner | PCOM - Moultrie |
| 2023 | Shiori Ucheva | PCOM – Suwanee |
| 2022 | Shantrice Appleby | Morehouse |
| 2022 | Nicholas Torrance | Mercer University - Macon |
| 2022 | Hanna Assefa | Augusta |
| 2021 | Chandler Brandenburg | Mercer University School of Medicine - Savannah |
| 2021 | Nijah Burris | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2021 | Hyunjin Song | Medical College of Georgia - Augusta |
| 2020 | David Daniels | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2020 | Connor O’Sullivan | Medical College of Georgia - Augusta |
| 2020 | Alexis Brown | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| 2020 | Catherine Waldron | Mercer University School of Medicine - Savannah |
| 2019 | Joseph Coppiano | Medical College of Georgia in Augusta |
| 2019 | Macy McNair | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2019 | Michael Land | Mercer University School of Medicine |
| 2018 | Sarah Dupont | Emory |
| 2018 | Suzanne Abbasi | Medical College of Georgia at Augusta |
| 2018 | Chivon Stubbs | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2017 | Kristen McDermott | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| 2017 | Leila Myrick | Emory |
| 2017 | Rodneysha Brown | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2017 | Kristen Kettelhut | Mercer University School of Medicine |
| 2016 | Kayla Dziuba | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| 2016 | Monique Merritt | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2016 | Natalie Britt | Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah |
| 2016 | Afua Akhi-Gbade | Medical College of Georgia at Augusta |
| 2015 | Rebecca Doris Jones | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| 2015 | John McCaskey | Georgia Regents University - Augusta |
| 2015 | Shad Stormant | Mercer-Macon |
| 2015 | Davon Thomas | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2015 | Amethyst Wilder | Mercer-Savannah |
| 2014 | Daniel Gordon/Mary Keith | Mercer-Savannah |
| 2014 | John Macon | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2014 | Sunaina Nanchahal | Mercer-Macon |
| 2013 | Naheed Lakhani | Mercer-Macon |
| 2013 | Joe Livingston | Georgia Regents University - Augusta |
| 2012 | Jennifer Francois | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2012 | Raj Singh | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| 2011 | Zachary Cohen | Mercer University School of Medicine |
| 2011 | Michelle Cooke | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2011 | Amanda Fischer | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| 2011 | Erin Meeks | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2010 | Arwyn Raina | Mercer University School of Medicine |
| 2010 | Lindsay Fowler Hales | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| 2009 | Angela N. Evans | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| 2008 | Nakato Kibuyaga | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2007 | Malcolm G. Floyd | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2007 | Brian Neil Lewis | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2007 | David W. Zimmerman | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2007 | Tara Joyce Davis | Mercer University School of Medicine |
| 2006 | Jacqueline DuBose | Medical College of Georgia |
| 2006 | Allison Kimball | Mercer University School of Medicine |
| 2005 | Elizabeth Korcz | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| 2005 | Charity G. Wilson | Medical College of Georgia |
Family Physician Community and Volunteer Service Award
| 2024 | Mitzi Rubin, MD | Atlanta |
| 2023 | PJ Lynn, MD | Rome |
| 2021 | Andrea Videlfsky, MD | Dunwoody |
| 2020 | Michael Busman, MD | Americus |
| 2020 | Eddie Richardson, Jr., MD | Eatonton |
| 2019 | Folashade Omole, MD | Atlanta |
| 2018 | Bruce M. LeClair, MD, MPH | Augusta |
| 2015 | Jonathan Mitch Cook, DO | Athens |
| 2014 | David N. Westfall, MD | Gainesville |
| 2013 | James Hagler, MD | Buena Vista |
| 2012 | Linda Inez Walden, MD | Cairo |
| 2011 | Bidemi Olaniyi-Leyimu, MD | Newnan |
| 2008 | Lynn Taylor Denny, MD | Macon |
| 2007 | Freddy Gaton, MD | Roberta |
| 2006 | Kathy Klein Keebaugh, MD | Kathleen |
Family Physician of the Year
| 2024 | Monique Davis-Smith, MD | Macon |
| 2023 | Chip Cowart, MD, FAAFP | Statesboro |
| 2022 | Jonathan Cook, DO FAAFP | Athens |
| 2021 | Bonzo Reddick, MD | Pooler |
| 2020 | Beulette Hooks, MD | Midland |
| 2019 | Alice House, MD | Midland |
| 2018 | Eddie Richardson, Jr., MD | Eatonton |
| 2017 | Samuel “Le” Church, MD | Hiawassee |
| 2016 | Paul Forney, MD | Augusta |
| 2015 | Folashade Omole, MD | East Point |
| 2014 | William F. Bina, MD | Macon |
| 2013 | Harry S. Strothers, III, MD | East Point |
| 2012 | Howard McMahan, MD | Ocilla |
| 2011 | James Leon Ray, MD | Swainsboro |
| 2010 | Michael S. Busman, MD | Americus |
| 2009 | Bruce M. LeClair, MD | Evans |
| 2008 | Jack Roof, Jr., MD | Blue Ridge |
| 2007 | Ferrol Sams, MD | Fayetteville |
| 2006 | Roslyn D. Taylor, MD | Savannah |
| 2005 | Sidney J. Morgan, MD | Sylvania |
| 2004 | J. Larry Boss, MD | Villa Rica |
| 2003 | Don Waters, MD | Blackshear |
| 2002 | Asbury Clark Robinson, MD | Douglas |
| 2001 | Tanya Jones, MD | Atlanta |
| 2000 | Winnie Claire Hicks, MD | Jesup |
| 1999 | Laurence Crimmins, MD | Albany |
| 1998 | Cyler Garner, MD | Gordon |
| 1997 | George Shannon, MD | Columbus |
| 1996 | John Antalis, MD | Dalton |
| 1995 | Catherine Andrews, MD | Kennesaw |
| 1994 | S. Catherine Huggins, MD | Stone Mountain |
| 1993 | Keith Ellis, MD | Savannah |
| 1992 | Richard Wherry, MD | Dahlonega |
| 1991 | Robin Fine, MD | Atlanta |
| 1990 | Dwana Bush, MD | Atlanta |
| 1989 | Charles Lanford, MD | Macon |
| 1988 | Lanny Copeland, MD | Albany |
| 1987 | John Heard, MD | Decatur |
| 1986 | Henry Smith, MD | Swainsboro |
| 1985 | A.A. McNeil, Jr., MD | Camilla |
| 1984 | G.H. Perrow, MD | Jasper |
| 1983 | Frank Houser, MD | Macon |
| 1982 | H. Gordon Davis, MD | Sylvester |
| 1981 | Abraham Germain, MD | Jonesboro |
| 1980 | Charles Hillis, MD | Lafayette |
| 1979 | Emory Bohler, MD | Brooklet |
| 1978 | Wells Riley, MD | Jonesboro |
| 1977 | James Dismuke, MD | Adel |
| 1976 | John Bell, MD | Dublin |
| 1975 | William Mendenhall, MD | Dekalb |
| 1974 | Ollie McGahee, MD | Jesup |
| 1973 | Robert Walter, MD | Calhoun |
Family Medicine Educator of the Year
| 2024 | George Brown, MD | Morrow |
| 2023 | Amy Bailey, MD, FAAFP | Gainesville |
| 2022 | Riba Kelsey, MD | Atlanta |
| 2021 | Monica Newton, DO | Gainesville |
| 2020 | Julie Dahl-Smith, DO | Augusta |
| 2019 | Dolapo Babalola, MD | Atlanta |
| 2018 | Charles Sow, MD | Atlanta |
| 2017 | John Bucholtz, DO | Columbus |
| 2016 | Philip Rogers, MD | Atlanta |
| 2015 | Fred S. Girton, MD | St. Simons |
| 2014 | Emily Herndon, MD | Atlanta |
| 2013 | Bruce LeClair, MD | Evans |
| 2012 | Susan Schayes, MD, MPH | Atlanta |
| 2011 | Gregory Strayhorn, MD | Atlanta |
| 2009 | Daryl C. Wiley, MD | Thomson |
| 2008 | Jonathan E. Reimer, MD | Augusta |
| 2007 | Eddie Needham, MD | Atlanta |
| 2006 | Folashade Omole, MD | Marietta |
| 2005 | Charles Gary Lodge, MD | Moultrie |
| 2004 | Frank L. Carter, MD | Waynesboro |
| 2003 | Phil Rogers, MD | Dunwoody |
| 2002 | David Matthew Jester, MD | Augusta |
| 2001 | Michelle Nichols, MD | Atlanta |
| 2000 | Harry S. Strothers, III, MD | Atlanta |
| 1999 | Lonnie Fuller, Sr., MD | Atlanta |
| 1999 | Walter Treadwell, MD | Macon |
| 1998 | Kitty Carter-Wicker, MD | Atlanta |
| 1997 | Richard Ackermann, MD | Macon |
| 1997 | Lawrence Lutz, MD | Atlanta |
| 1996 | Patrick Barmore, MD | Thomson |
| 1995 | Linda Walker, MD | Columbus |
| 1994 | George Rust, MD | Atlanta |
| 1991 | Joseph Hobbs, MD | Augusta |
| 1991 | Al J. Mooney, Jr., MD | Statesboro |
| 1989 | Mason P. Thompson, MD | Augusta |
| 1987 | Walter Treadwell, Jr., MD | Atlanta |
| 1985 | Larry Boss, MD | Villa Rica |
| 1985 | Lanny Copeland, MD | Albany |
| 1985 | Ollie McGahee, MD | Jesup |
| 1985 | Robert Smith, MD | Rome |
| 1984 | Joseph Hobbs, MD | Augusta |
| 1983 | Keith Parmer, MD | Rome |
| 1982 | Dee Russell, MD | Rome |