The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recognized six UW Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (DFMCH) faculty, plus our Family Medicine Interest Group, with awards in 2016.
This is a remarkable achievement for our department. Congratulations to all the winners!
Learn more about their accomplishments below.
John Beasley, MD, FAAFP: Thomas W. Johnson Award for Career Contributions to Family Medicine Education
John Beasley, MD, FAAFP
2016 AAFP Thomas W. Johnson Award for Career Contributions to Family Medicine Education
DFMCH Professor John Beasley, MD, FAAFP, received the Johnson award, the AAFP’s highest honor, for his outstanding contributions to family medicine undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education.
Those include global health; practice-based research networks; rural health, medical education of family physicians and physician assistants; and the Improving Primary Care Through Industrial and Systems Engineering (I-PrACTISE) initiative. One of Dr. Beasley’s most significant legacies is the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO®) course that he developed in 1991 with James Damos, MD—which has since reached over 150,000 people in 54 countries.
“The Board commends you for your lifetime contribution to medical education; your innovative thinking, teaching, and research; and the profound influence your leadership has had at the local, state, national, and international levels,” wrote AAFP President Wanda D. Filer, MD, MBA, FAAFP, in Dr. Beasley’s award letter.
Cindy Haq, MD: Exemplary Teaching Award for Full-Time Faculty
Cindy Haq, MD
2016 AAFP Exemplary Teaching Award for Full-Time Faculty
DFMCH Professor Cindy Haq, MD, received the Exemplary Teaching Award for her work “as an innovator and leader in medical education, particularly in the areas of community health and global health.”
Dr. Haq developed and directs the Training in Urban Medicine and Public Health (TRIUMPH) program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She is also the founding director of what is now the University of Wisconsin-Madison Global Health Institute, and helped launch the first family medicine residency programs in Pakistan, Uganda and Ethiopia.
“Your dedication to providing compassionate care for communities in desperate need, both locally and globally, has been an inspiration for countless students, colleagues, and community partners,” noted Dr. Filer. “You are a shining example of the best in family medicine.”
David Gaus, MD, MPH: Humanitarian Award
David Gaus, MD, MPH
2016 AAFP Humanitarian Award
DFMCH Honorary Fellow David Gaus, MD, MPH, received the Humanitarian Award for demonstrating extraordinary and enduring humanitarian efforts both within and beyond the borders of the United States.
Dr. Gaus is the founder and executive director of Andean Health and Development (AHD), a non-governmental organization that builds sustainable rural health care infrastructure in Ecuador. AHD operates Hospital Pedro Vicente Maldonado, a self-sustaining hospital that is also a training ground for physicians, nurses, and local community leaders. In 2000, it also opened Hesburgh Hospital in Santo Domingo, Ecuador, which includes a simulation lab contextualized for rural Latin America and will serve as training headquarters for the region’s public sector physicians.
“You have built a reputation as an innovative, dedicated, compassionate physician who overcomes economic, cultural, and bureaucratic obstacles to care for underserved patients and communities,” wrote Dr. Filer.
Patricia Tellez-Giron, MD: Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award for Practicing Doctors
Patricia Tellez-Giron, MD
2016 AAFP Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award for Practicing Doctors
DFMCH Associate Professor Patricia Tellez-Giron, MD, received the Gold Foundation award for demonstrating the ideals of compassionate and respectful care for a patient’s physical and emotional well-being.
Dr. Tellez-Giron is the chair of Madison’s Latino Health Council, which has launched such annual community initiatives as the Latino Health Fair, Latino Chronic Disease Summit, Latino Mental Health summit and a Latino health teen bash. She is also the medical director and main presenter of a monthly health education Spanish radio program on La Movida, Madison’s local Spanish radio station.
“As a family physician, you are a testament to the joy that comes from serving others. The Board commends you for your exemplary record of community and professional service, and for your dedication to caring for patients with the utmost cultural sensitivity, empathy, and respect,” wrote Dr. Filer.
Richard Roberts, MD, JD, FAAFP, FCLM: Award for Distinguished and Meritorious Service to Family Medicine
Richard Roberts, MD, JD, FAAFP, FCLM
2016 AAFP Award for Distinguished and Meritorious Service
DFMCH Professor Richard Roberts, MD, JD, FAAFP, FCLM, received the Award for Distinguished and Meritorious Service for his long-time dedication to advancing, contributing, and supporting to the AAFP and the specialty of family medicine. Dr. Roberts has been affiliated with the DFMCH since 1983, and was interim chair from 1992-1993.
He has served as president of the Wisconsin Medical Society, the AAFP and World Organization of Family Doctors (Wonca), and has taught in more than 50 countries as part of U.S.-led and World Health Organization delegations.
“Your life’s work embodies your dedication to the AAFP and to the specialty of family medicine,” noted Dr. Filer. “You are known as an extraordinary leader who is also glad to contribute as a team player when others take the lead, and you have had a significant impact on primary care redesign, quality improvement, and health care reform at the local, state, national, and international levels.”
Nick Turkal, MD: Robert Graham Family Physician Executive Award
Nick Turkal, MD
2016 AAFP Robert Graham Family Physician Executive Award
DFMCH Clinical Adjunct Professor Nick Turkal, MD, received the Graham award for his skills as a physician executive who has contributed to excellence in the provision of high-quality health care, and who has demonstrated that family physicians can have an impact on improving the overall health of the nation.
Dr. Turkal is the president and chief executive officer of Aurora Health Care and the former associate dean for the UW-Milwaukee campus.
“This award recognizes that you are a passionate, visionary executive who has maintained your core identity as a family physician,” wrote Dr. Filer. “You are known among your colleagues as an excellent listener and communicator, a generous collaborator, and a tireless champion for innovations in health care and medical education.”
Family Medicine Interest Group: Program of Excellence
For the second year in a row, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG), led by DFMCH Clinical Assistant Professor Jacqueline Gerhart, MD, and DFMCH Associate Professor David Deci, MD, was named one of 10 Programs of Excellence nationwide.
Representatives from the DFMCH and the FMIG receive the AAFP’s Program of Excellence award. Back row, from left: SMPH student Cameron Blegen; DFMCH Office of Medical Student Education Director David Deci, MD; SMPH student Manuchehr Habibi; DFMCH Office of Medical Student Education program coordinator Joyce Jeardeau; SMPH student Kristin Magliocco. Front row, from left: SMPH students Nicole Altman, Willem Schott and Lindsey Boyke. (Photo: AAFP)
The award recognized the FMIG for its outstanding activities in generating medical student interest in family medicine.