GAFP Awards
GAFP Honors the 2011 Award Recipients
The Georgia Academy of Family Physicians recognizes its members for their exemplary service to the profession of family medicine and contributions to health care by presenting the following awards.
Family Physician of the Year
James Leon Ray, MD, FAAFP, of Swainsboro, was named GAFP's 2011 Family Physician of the Year, the highest award that can be bestowed on a GAFP member. This prestigious award is given to family physicians who have been leaders in professional affairs, along with making an outstanding contribution to the profession or the community.
Dr. James Leon Ray has practiced medicine in Swainsboro for more than 36 years. Dr. Ray has filled many roles in service to the community including serving as Chair of Emanuel County's Board of Health for over 30 years. Dr. Ray also served as the medical director for three nursing homes, a home health agency, and a hospice.
Dr. Ray was instrumental in the opening of the Substance Abuse Detoxification Center in Swainsboro. He recognized the need for this facility and has served as its medical director for the past 20 years.
Educator of the Year Award
Dr. Gregory Strayhorn, MD, PhD, FAAFP, of Atlanta, received the 2011 Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award.
Dr. Strayhorn served as the Chairman of Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine for seven years. Currently, he is the Research Director and a professor of Family Medicine at Morehouse. He runs the quarterly research workshop for residents and the Research Query Series. Dr. Strayhorn teaches Masters of Science in Clinical Research and Masters of Public Health students; and is a Clinical Preceptor for Family Medicine Residents.
His outstanding contributions to family medicine profession also include serving as a Peer Reviewer for the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, Editorial Board of the Annals of Family Medicine, and a Peer Reviewer for the Journal of the National Medical Association.
Community & Volunteer Service Award
Bidemi Olaniyi-Leyimu, MD, of Newnan, received the 2011 Georgia Family Physician Community and Volunteer Service Award. The award is given to members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support their communities; physicians who have made outstanding contributions in welfare, education, health, government or the arts.
Dr. Olaniyi-Leyimu is committed to supporting her community and provides health education in schools, nursing homes, health screenings, support groups and at wellness promotional fairs. Additionally, Dr. Olaniyi-Leyimu devotes much of her time to ongoing health education for members of the local school system, speaking with both teachers and students on ways to improve their health and has presented Tar Wars to grade schools in her community.
Family Medicine Resident of the Year Award
Jennifer Malcolm, DO, of Granger, Indiana, received the 2011 Resident of the Year Award. The award is presented to a resident member that is a leader in academic, community, and professional affairs.
Dr. Malcolm completed her residency at Georgia Health Sciences University in Augusta. As a family medicine resident she excelled in leadership as well as clinical abilities. She was an active member of the Residency Curriculum, Quality Assurance, and the Admission and Recruitment Committees. Her honors include being elected chief resident by her peers.
Keith Ellis, MD Award
Viktoria Nurpeisov, MD, of Atlanta, received the 2011 Keith Ellis MD Award, which recognizes a Chief Resident, from a Family Medicine Residency Program, with outstanding contributions in academic leadership and community affairs.
Dr. Nurpeisov was the Chief Resident and Chair of Resident Council at Atlanta Medical Center. Dr. Nurpeisov has completed outstanding research projects on: Teenage Pregnancy Rates in Georgia; Pickens County Health Profile, North Georgia; and Long Term Treatment with Metformin in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus II and Risk of Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Additionally, Dr. Nurpeisov is an active community volunteer with the Allen Road Mid-Rise Tenants Association, assisted living facility, sports physicals at Woodland High School, and for Special Olympics Georgia.
December 15, 2011