The MAFP is proud to recognize members for their hard work and dedication to Minnesota family medicine.
The MAFP traditionally honors members through four annual Academy awards.
In 2022, the MAFP also launched Members Making a Difference to allow for more opportunities to recognize our extraordinary members and the work they do throughout the year and across the state.
Annual Academy Awards
Family Medicine Educator of the Year
Recognizes a member of the MAFP who is an outstanding teacher of family medicine.
- Eligibility: Full-time, part-time or volunteer physician educator from an academic or clinical setting who is actively engaged in teaching (or was, within the past two years). Must hold an MAFP Active or Life membership.
- Who can nominate: Family medicine residents, medical students, other educators or other MAFP members.
Meet the 2024 Minnesota Family Medicine Educator of the Year: John C. McCabe, MD
Innovation & Research Award
Recognizes an individual who has made a major contribution to the development of family medicine research and/or innovation at the state and/or national level.
- Eligibility: Does not have to be a physician, nor hold an MAFP membership.
- Who can nominate: MAFP members.
Meet the 2024 Innovation & Research Award recipient: Erin Westfall, DO, FACOFP
Family Medicine Resident of the Year
Recognizes a family medicine resident member of the MAFP for contributions to family medicine, including teaching, leadership and educational activities.
- Eligibility: Must hold an MAFP Resident membership.
- Who can nominate: Family medicine residents, medical students, educators, residency
program directors or other MAFP members.
Meet the 2024 Minnesota Family Medicine Resident of the Year: Nicholas DeVetter, DO
Medical Student Leadership Award
Recognizes a medical student member of the MAFP for family medicine involvement and leadership activities.
- Eligibility: Must hold an MAFP Student membership.
- Who can nominate: Medical students, family medicine residents, educators or other MAFP members.
Meet the 2024 Medical Student Leadership Award recipient: Courtney Horton, MD
Other Awards
Merit Award
The MAFP Merit Award is given for service to the MAFP. Candidates are physicians who have worked diligently in the the MAFP to further the ideals of family medicine.
Nominations for this award come from MAFP members. All nominations must be made in writing. Please write a letter explaining why the nominee is deserving, including examples of their service to the MAFP. Also, if available, please forward a copy of the nominee’s CV. Nominees must be MAFP members.
All nominations are carefully considered by the MAFP Board of Directors, who select the recipient by anonymous vote.
Send nomination letters to the MAFP office.
Given occasionally for exceptional service to the MAFP; any MAFP member can nominate another member. See past recipients of the Merit Award.
Minnesota Family Physician of the Year
The Minnesota Family Physician of the Year award, given out from 1981 through 2021, recognized a family physician member of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) for compassionate, comprehensive patient care and involvement in the community.
President’s Award
Given out from 1992 through 2016; awarded to members of the MAFP at the discretion of the MAFP President. See past recipients of the MAFP President’s Award.
Members Making a Difference – Tell Us Your Stories!
In 2022, the MAFP launched Members Making a Difference to allow for more opportunities to recognize our extraordinary members and the work they do throughout the year and across the state.
Fill out a short online form to tell us about a family physician, family medicine resident and/or medical student making a difference in their clinic, school/residency, community and/or beyond.
We want to recognize and celebrate our members for the incredible work they do inside and outside of clinic walls, including community outreach, advocacy, innovation in patient care and beyond.
We will follow up on submissions as needed and share the stories of family medicine in Minnesota across our communications channels. You can submit a “Member Making a Difference” at ANY time.
