Family Medicine News

Jennifer P. Herbert, MD Daryl C. Wiley, MD Bruce M. LeClair,MD

Department of Family Medicine Faculty Honored at the Annual Georgia Academy of Family Physicians Meeting Family Medicine Resident of the Year   Dr. Jennifer Herbert, Assistant Professor, is the GAFP's 2009 Family Medicine Resident of the Year. As a Family Medicine Resident at the Medical College of Georgia, she displayed administrative, leadership and interpersonal abilities. She helped strengthen the education experience by instituting immunization cards and pediatric anticipatory guidance sheets in the Family Medicine Center. She has been a constant advocate for primary care and is actively involved in the GAFP including the Task Force for Strategic Planning, Congress of Delegates and was an alternate for the Resident Board Director. Among her academic endeavors as a resident Dr. Herbert was also recently published in February 2008, Reducing Risk for Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer. She has several manuscripts presently in progress. Dr. Herbert joined the Department of Family Medicine faculty in July, 2009. Family Medicine Educator of the Year   Dr. Daryl C. Wiley, Clinical Associate Professor, of Thomson, Georgia, has been an integral part of the Medical College of Georgia's Family Medicine Clerkship since 1995. He is highly respected by the teaching faculty and students. During Dr. Wiley's 12 year tenure as a community faculty member, he has had students assigned to his office for their required Family Medicine Clerkship 48 weeks out of the year and additionally takes senior students for their required subinternship in Family Medicine nine months out of the year, translating to nearly 200 student rotating on the Family Medicine Clerkship and dozens of senior subinternships. His students have expressed their appreciation for his commitment to his patients and love of teaching. He was nominated by the students to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society based on his community teaching. This is what some of the students had to say: "Dr. Wiley is a phenomenal mentor and attending. He runs an excellent clerkship site and gives great hands-on experience!" "Dr. Wiley is an awesome physician and I enjoyed working with him. He is smart and all his patients adore him. I would recommend this clerkship to others." "I really enjoyed the rotation. Dr. Wiley is very pleasant to work with and there is a nice variety and number of patients. My time in Thomson has been great and I am sad to see it come to an end. Dr. Wiley has been able to demonstrate just how the doctor/patient relationship should occur. His patients love him and he provides a wonderful service to them. His cares and concerns are very evident. I hope that I am able to emulate Dr. Wiley's knowledge and ability to relate to his patients in my medical future. I would recommend this rotation to any upcoming student. You are able to see a great number of patients and learn a great deal in an unstressful environment. Great time and great learning experience." Dr. Wiley is an active member of his church and community. He serves as team physician for both the private and public high schools in Thomson for football and basketball. He is also a speaker at local industries and churches providing health and wellness information for their employees and congregation. Dr. Wiley is most deserving of this award. One of his students sums it up best: "I doubt I will ever be shown a better example of the doctor that I aspire to be. The patient interactions that Dr. Wiley has, the resultant relationships that he forms with his patients, and the heartfelt love that they all have for him is truly inspiring." Family Physician of the Year   Dr. Bruce M. LeClair, Associate Professor, served as President (2007-2008) and Board Chairman of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. LeClair has served tirelessly on various GAFP committee's and task forces. His commitment to the academy and family medicine is unwavering. As a strong and vocal member of the Executive Council of the Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, he has consistently aided and pushed for strengthening the educational experiences not only for MCG's School of Medicine and the Family Medicine Department. Dr. Janis Coffin said, "I have worked with him closely and extensively in both the inpatient and outpatient settings throughout the past 4 years. Dr. LeClair epitomizes what a physician should be. He is kind, compassionate, knowledgeable and a true advocate for all family physicians. He displays excellent administrative, leadership and interpersonal abilities." Other specific areas in which Dr. LeClair has excelled include teaching, ranging from many outstanding didactic presentations, to inpatient and outpatient bedside teaching of clinical medicine at its best. Among his academic endeavors, Dr. LeClair has presented numerous presentations locally, regionally and nationally. He is well published and has been involved in multiple research and training grants from Predoctoral Training to Faculty Development. Dr. LeClair has done extensive community work. He has served at the Medical Coordinator and preceptor for the Women's Free Health Clinic, Salvation Army and has served as a Board Member for the St. Vincent de Paul Health Center. Most importantly he believes in providing health care to all, and has been a major proponent for health legislation. Dr. LeClair continues to model the very highest level of professionalism and interpersonal skills while demonstrating tremendous leadership in various areas. He is a consummate physician, receiving consistent high marks as being empathetic and caring, unfailingly providing excellent care to his patients. Dr. LeClair is held in highest regard by patients, staff, medical students, residents and faculty alike. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL, YOU MAKE US PROUD! 11/16/09

Family Medicine Participates in Light the Night Family Medicine participated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk on October 3, 2009. Family Medicine's Light the Night Team 10/03/09

Kenny Echols and Sharon Dugger

Family Medicine Center Employee of the Quarter Sharon Dugger was named the Family Medicine Center's Employee of the Quarter for the 3rd Quarter of 2009. She was presented the award during Team Meeting on September 10, 2009. Sharon, thanks for all of your efforts in the Center. What a great job you do! 09/11/09

Happy Retirement to Dr. Peggy J. Wagner The Department of Family Medicine honored Dr. Peggy J. Wagner with a Retirement Reception on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Dr. Wagner will be retiring from the department on July 6, 2009 with 18 years of service. Many of Peggy's former researchers came out to wish her well. Dr. Peggy Wagner and Research Group Members (past and present) Everyone in the Department wishes Dr. Wagner well as she begins her retirement and looks forward to working with her in the future. 06/23/09

Dayna Seymore Elected to MCG'S EMPLOYEE COUNCIL Dayna Seymore, Accountant I, in the Department of Family Medicine, was elected to the Medical College of Georgia's Employee Advisory Council for the 2009-2011 term. Dayna's two year term will begin on July 15, 2009. Congratulations to Dayna!   06/23/09

Dayna Seymore

Department of Family Medicine Resident Graduation The Department's Annual Resident Graduation was held on Friday, June 12, 2009 at the Doubletree Hotel. Congratulation to our graduating residents: Vafa Rekaby, Christine Baird, La Toya Jackson, Jennifer Herbert, Jacqueline DeBose, Nataliya Hoff, Clement Anyanwu, Robyn Frederick! We wish you well as you being the next phase of your career and we will miss you! The following awards were presented during the ceremonies: Graduating Resident Book Award: Jennifer Herbert Rick Shuman Award: Christine Baird Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Resident Teacher Award: Jennifer Herbert Hilda Ann Dorman Delionbach Nursing Award: Kelly Wilson Thomas A. Sappington Faculty Award: Janis Coffin Again, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL! 06/12/09

A New Doctor in the "Family"! Carla Duffie was awarded her D.N.P. (Doctor of Nursing Practice) by the School of Nursing, Medical College of Georgia during its commencement on May 8, 2009. Carla's accomplishments were celebrated in the Family Medicine Center on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 with cake and a gift from her co-workers. Congratulations to Dr. Duffie on receiving her doctorate. It took many, many hours of hard work and we are all very proud of you! 05/08/09

The School of Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia held the 22nd Annual Honors Day Awards Ceremony on April 29, 2009.  The following students were honored by the Department of Family Medicine: Crystal A. Berryman was awarded the Thomas A. Sappington Student Award in Family Medicine.  This award is presented to the student in the graduating class who demonstrated:  (1) Excellent academic achievement in all phases of medical school education.  (2) A commitment to the pursuit of a career in Family Medicine.  (3) A potential to make a significant contribution to the discipline of Family Medicine. Ashley E. Owen received the Ollie O. McGahee, Jr., M.D. Memorial Award.  Guidelines established by the Trustees of the Ollie O. McGahee, Jr., M.D. Memorial Award Foundation are that the recipient:  (1) Must be a senior student in good standing at the Medical College of Georgia.  (2) Must be a student intending to go into the specialty of Family Medicine.  (3)  Should display a commitment to the totality of patient care exemplified by Dr. McGahee (i.e. pediatrics to geriatrics; a true concern for the complete well being of the patient).  (4)  Should have a good sense of humor and the ability to put a patient at ease in almost any situation and have compassion for both the patient and the family.  (5)  Should have an outstanding bedside manner and a desire to provide the best patient care possible. The recipient should be devoted to putting the patient first.         Left to Right: Ashley E. Owen, Dr. Paul D Forney (Vice Chair, Dept. of Family Medicine, Crystal A. Berryman 04/29/09

Dr. Janis S. Coffin, Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha at its Spring Induction Ceremony on Thursday, April 23, 2009.   We congratulate Dr. Coffin on this distinguished honor!   04/23/09

Georgia Academy of Family Physicians Awards MCG Family Medicine Interest Group   The MCG Family Medicine Interest Group received the 2nd place award for the 2009 Outstanding Family Medicine Interest Group from the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians. "This prestigious award recognizes your FMIG's excellence in family medicine advocacy, community outreach/patient advocacy, infrastructure, and student involvement/student retention," said Dr. Howard C. McMahan, GAFP President. Thanks to Erin Meeks, Patricia Faulkner, Merritt Echols and Hevil Shah, FMIG officers, for a great job this year!   04/15/09

Jennifer P. Herbert, MD Janis S. Coffin, DO Paul D. Forney, MD

School of Medicine Faculty Honored at April 15 Ceremony   The annual School of Medicine Faculty Senate Awards Ceremony was held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Several members of the department were recognized during the ceremony. Dr. Jennifer P. Herbert, PGY3 in the Department of Family Medicine, was nominated for the Resident of Year Award. Medical Student Exemplary Teacher Awards went to Dr. Janis S. Coffin and Dr. Paul D. Forney. Resident Exemplary Teacher Awards went to Dr. Julie Dahl-Smith and Dr. Thad Wilkins. All of the members of the Department of Family Medicine congratulate Drs. Herbert, Coffin, Forney, Dahl-Smith and Wilkins on these honors! 04/15/09

Julie Dahl-Smith,DO Thad Wilkins, MD