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Academy Awards

Nominate Your Peers!

Winners will receive round trip airfare, 2 days per diem, 2 nights hotel, and waiver of the registration fee to the Annual Meeting. They will be recognized and receive a plaque at the Annual Meeting and also be recognized in the USAFP newsletter edition following the Annual Meeting.

The submission deadline for awards is 15 December.
Michael J. Scotti, MD, Family Physician of the Year Award

This honor is bestowed on a Uniformed Family Physician who exemplifies the tradition of the family doctor and the contributions made by family physicians to the continuing health of the people in the Uniformed Services.

To nominate your peers for this outstanding award, please send a letter of support to Matt Schulte (mschulte@vafp.org) no later than 15 December.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Provides their community with compassionate, comprehensive, and caring medical service on a continuing basis.
  • Directly and effectively involved in community affairs and activities that enhance the quality of life of their home area.
  • Provides a credible role model as a healer and human being to their community and as a professional in the science and art of medicine to colleagues, other health professionals, and especially, to young physicians in training and to medical students.
  • Must be in good standing in their medical community.
  • Must be a member of the USAFP.

Past Recipients

2025 – Christopher F. Jonas, DO, FAAFP
2024 – Michael, L. Place, MD
2023 – Kevin M. Kelly, MD, FAAFP
2022 – Dana R. Nguyen, MD, FAAFP
2021 – USAFP Membership
2020 – James J. Arnold, DO, FAAFP
2019 – John E. Laird, MD, FAAFP
2018 – Mary V. Krueger, DO, FAAFP
2017 – James A. Ellzy, MD, FAAFP
2016 – Mark B. Stephens, MD, FAAFP
2015 – Kevin C. O’Connor, DO, FAAFP

Sample Nomination Letter
Operational Medicine Award

This honor is to recognize a Uniformed Service Family Physician that has exhibited outstanding achievement in the provision, promotion or research in operational medical care.

To nominate your peers for this outstanding award, please send a letter of support to Matt Schulte (mschulte@vafp.org) no later than 15 December.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Demonstrated substantial contributions, dedication, initiative, leadership and/or resourcefulness in providing patient care in any operational environment.
  • Outstanding service, devotion, dedication or compassion while performing their duties in any operational environment.
  • Concepts, procedures or methods developed by the nominee which resulted in significant reduction in morbidity or mortality, workload required for mission accomplishment, financial expenditures or material utilization.
  • Involvement in continuing education as a researcher, participant, organizer or sponsor which directly and materially improves operational medicine.
  • Humanitarian or military community involvement that substantially improves the health and readiness of the service member, their families or the supported population.
  • Any other substantial contribution directly related to operational medicine not described above.
  • Must be in good standing in their medical community.
  • Must be a member of the USAFP.

Past Recipients

2025 – Ezella N. Washington, DO, FAAFP
2024 – Scott A. Stafford, MD
2023 – Dawn P. Callahan, MD, FAAFP
2022 – Matthew R. Noss, MD, FAAFP
2021 – Myro A. Lu, DO, FAFFP
2020 – Mark E. Stackle, MD, MBA, FAAFP
2019 – Adolfo Granados, DO, MHA, FAAFP
2018 – Denise Boggs-Wilkerson, DO
2017 – Jeffrey L. Kinard, DO, FAAFP
2016 – Matthew N. Fandre, MD, FAAFP
2016 – Riley J. Burke, DO, FAAFP
2015 – Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MPH, FAAFP

Sample Nomination Letter
Joy in Medicine Award

This award recognizes and celebrates a Uniformed Family Physician who sustains and spreads the joy of practicing medicine, thereby advancing wellness, morale, and mission readiness in the Uniformed Family Medicine community.

To nominate your peers for this outstanding award, please send a letter of support to Matt Schulte (mschulte@vafp.org) no later than 15 December.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Be a Uniformed Family Physician in good standing (Active Duty, Reserve, or Guard) within the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, or Public Health Service and a member of the USAFP.
  • Demonstrate commitment to the well-being of patients, colleagues, learners, and self.
  • Actively promote a culture of joy, gratitude, and connection in the workplace (e.g., through mentorship, peer support, team building, or innovation).
  • Serve as a role model for emotional resilience, professional satisfaction, and humanistic care.
  • Exhibit sustained efforts (over at least 1 year) to reduce burnout or promote professional fulfillment at the local, regional, or service level.

Marking the inaugural year of this meaningful new honor!

This new annual award, Joy in Medicine, honors a Uniformed Family Physician who exemplifies the spirit, compassion, and purpose that bring meaning to the practice of medicine within the military health system. This award recognizes a physician who models personal and professional fulfillment, fosters joy and well-being in their clinical, operational, or educational environments, and inspires colleagues to find enduring purpose in service to others. Rooted in the principles of servant leadership, this award celebrates those who nurture a culture of gratitude, connection, and resilience amidst the unique challenges of uniformed service.

See other award’s above for nomination letter samples.