At the June meeting of the GAFP Board of Directors, the following individuals were chosen as the 2015 recipients of the following awards for their hard work and dedication to family medicine.
Folashade Omole, MD of Marietta was the winner of the 2015 GAFP Family Physician of the Year Award. Dr. Omole, currently a Professor, Series 1 at Morehouse School of Medicine, practices the full scope of Family Medicine including prenatal and delivery care through care of the elderly. She is the volunteer supervisor of the MSM student run free clinic. Having been an active member since 2000, she has held numerous positions in the GAFP, including a term as Treasurer, which placed her on the Board of Directors. She has also served in several capacities for the AAFP, including AAFP representative to the AAO-HNSF Tinnitus and Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Practice Guideline Panels, Advisory Panel member to the AAFP National Research Network, Chair AAFP Tobacco Cessation Advisory Committee, 2013 AAFP CHPS Public Health Award Committee member, Council of Academic Family Medicine’s National Advocacy Network member, and Chair, AAFP Disaster Preparedness Member Advisory Panel.
Fred Girton, MD of St. Simons Island, GA was the winner of the GAFP Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award. Having served as Professor and Chair of the Family Medicine Department at Mercer University, the Chief of the Department of Family Medicine and the Residency Director of the Family Medicine Program at MCCG (Navicent) and the Chief and head of departments in previous locations, Dr. Fred Girton’s career in medical education has been robust and distinguished. Students have noted his concern for their education and his firm grasp of the knowledge as well as a keen ability to share that knowledge with them. Dr. Alice House, a former student, resident and faculty member of Dr. Girton’s states that “he is actively engaged in leading students to discover, learn and become leaders in healthcare; he is truly dedicated to mentoring both students and residents to perform at the highest level of achievement; and he has been involved in multiple research projects with students and residents resulting in publications and presentations.” A GAFP member for 38 years, Dr. Girton served as GAFP President from 2001-2002 and also served on the GAFP Board of Directors for much of this time.
Jonathan Mitchell Cook, DO of Bogart, won the GAFP Family Medicine Community and Volunteer Services Award for his work at Mercy Health Center in Athens. Mercer is a medical clinic that assists uninsured patients needing medical and dental services. He also assisted Mercy in obtaining a grant from the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance. In addition, Dr. Cook has served on foreign medical mission trips to Honduras for the last 15 years through his local faith community. Dr. Cook has been a member of the GAFP for 19 years and served on the GAFP Board of Directors most recently as President in 2013 and Board Chair in 2014.