GAPA Announces 2009 award winners

ATLANTA– The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants has announced the recipients of the 2009 GAPA awards, recognizing the leaders and rising stars of the association.

“Our award winners have demonstrated high professionalism and dedication to not only GAPA, but to the entire PA profession,” said Lori Gaylor, PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA. Gaylor is the current GAPA president. “I appreciate their hard work, and commend their efforts.”

Physician Assistant of the Year – Carolanne Redfearn, PA-C

The recipient of the Physician Assistant of the Year award must display proven leadership throughout the year, as well as be a mentor to others throughout the state. An active member of GAPA since 1998, Redfearn is the current secretary and a member of the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee. A 1996 graduate of the Medical College of Georgia, she had worked as a PA at the Archbold Urgent Care Center in acute care and occupational medicine. Redfearn resides in Thomasville.

Distinguished Service Award – Jeff Chambers, PA-C and Coe McGrath, PA-C

The Distinguished Service Award is given to the GAPA member who has given much time and effort in furthering GAPA’s endeavors. Chambers, a 2000 graduate of the Emory University School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant program, has worked in orthopedic surgery in Atlanta and Athens, as well as in emergency medicine in Atlanta and Gainesville. McGrath is the current treasurer of GAPA, and is currently pursuing dermatology following careers in neurosurgery, pediatrics, and emergency medicine. He resides in Athens.

Humanitarian of the Year – Terry Mize, PA-C, MMSc

The recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year award is a PA that has shown an outstanding commitment to human rights, and is based on work done outside of the PA’s primary employment. A founding member of the Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants, Mize is a volunteer for the east Georgia chapter of the American Red Cross, and is actively involved with several community groups, including the annual Hosea Feed the Homeless and Hungry every Thanksgiving. Mize resides in Lawrenceville. He is currently the director of admissions of the Emory University Physician Assistant program.

Rural PA of the Year – Mary Alice Phillips, PA-C

The Rural PA of the Year award is presented to a PA who has provided accessible, quality health care in a rural community of fewer than 10,000 in population. Phillips is currently employed at the Medical Center of Elberton, and volunteers at Mercy Clinic in Athens where she resides. She has also led and participated in short-term medical mission trips to Nicaragua, Kenya, South Africa, and Togo in West Africa.

Physician/PA Partnership Award – Spencer Wheeler, MD and Dan Vacala, PA-C, AT-C

The award is given to a team that has displayed evidence of collaboration and a unique relationship of trust, collegiality and mutual respect. Having worked together for 18 years, Wheeler and Vacula are clinical instructors for South University Physician Assistant program, and Armstrong Atlantic State University. They also work with athletes in several settings, the 1996 Summer Olympics and U.S.A. weightlifting. Wheeler and Vacala are based in Savannah.

Physician of the Year – Jean Sumner, MD

The Physician of the Year is looked at as a mentor and teacher, and has also facilitated the practice of PAs throughout the state. Sumner is the Chief of Staff of Washington County Regional Medical Center, and is currently in private practice in internal medicine in Washington and Johnson counties.

Circle of Honor – Kathy Kemle, PA-C, MS

The Circle of Honor is a distinguished award given to someone with a proven record of involvement and achievement with GAPA. The recipient is considered a pioneer in the GAPA organization by improving service to the public, serving as a role model and mentor to PA students and representing GAPA in a positive manner. Kemle has served two terms as president of GAPA, and is primarily interested in health care for older adults, including dementia and palliative medicine. She currently is based in Lizella.

It is the mission of the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants to promote high quality, cost-effective, accessible health care as part of a physician-directed PA/physician team in Georgia. To learn more health tips or how PAs make health care more affordable and accessible in Georgia, please visit www.GAPA.net and click on “Patients.”