This award is co-sponsored by the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Nominees for the 2027 award must have directed a family medicine residency program for at least seven (7) years, have significant leadership experience at the national level, demonstrate management and advancement of family medicine, serve as a mentor to medical students and residents, and contribute to the community in which he or she serves as well as to the organizations of the family of family medicine. The recipient receives this award during the AAFP's Residency Leadership Summit (formerly known as the PDW and RPS Residency Education Symposium).

Nomination Process: A program director may be nominated by other family medicine residency directors, faculty, residents, or a state chapter of the AAFP. Nominees must complete an application and upload a current curriculum vitae and at least two (no more than three) letters of endorsement. It is encouraged that the voice of the mentee or learner is incorporated in at least one of these letters.

Criteria:
Nominees must:

  • Be a current member of the AAFP and the AFMRD
  • Be actively directing a family medicine program for at least seven (7) years
    • Nominees who actively directed a family medicine program for at least seven (7) years who either transitioned into a new position or will be transitioning into a new position will be considered eligible to receive this award. Transitions must be within two years of the date the award is presented.
  • Demonstrate leadership and advancement of the specialty
  • Have served as a mentor to residents or medical students
  • Have made contributions to the community they serve
  • Have made contributions to the organizations of the family of family medicine
  • Not be a current member of the AFMRD Board of Directors or the AAFP Commission on Education
  • Not have served as a Board member of the AFMRD within the last year
  • Have significant leadership experience at the national level
  • Posthumous award may be considered if all above criteria is met

Selection Process: A selection committee comprised of the AFMRD Board members will review applications and recommend a recipient for the award. The recommendation is then sent to the AAFP's Commission on Education for approval before the AAFP Board of Directors considers final confirmation. The official screening body is empowered to reject any nomination for what, in its opinion, is insufficient documentation. The award will be presented only if an outstanding candidate has been nominated.

 Applications Now Closed

 

2026 Winner - Melissa B. Nothnagle, MD, MSc

 

Past Winners