Members in the News

Congratulations to Dr Vicki Copeland and her husband on the arrival of their third son, Michael, born January 4, 2008. Dr Copeland, who is a Director at Large for the AzAFP, will surely take this tiny addition (5 pounds, 6 ounces) in stride.

A new Discovery Health CME program featured AzAFP member Michelle May, MD, on an expert panel discussing recent data on childhood obesity, early intervention benefits and optimal ways to overcome barriers. The program, Healthy Steps to Treating Childhood Obesity, was shown on Sunday mornings on the Discovery Health Channel from December 16, 2007, through January 20, 2008. Visit the Discovery Health CME website to watch it online, download a podcast or order a DVD.

Michelle May, MD, was named the chair of the AAFP fitness initiative called Americans in Motion (AIM). AIM was designed to improve the health of all Americans by implementing a multifaceted fitness program addressing physical activity, nutrition and emotional well-being in the individual, family and community.
Many of the concepts used in AIM are from Dr. May’s book, Am I Hungry? What do Do When Diets Don't Work.

Dr Ed Perrin's letter to the editor entitled "Drug Dosing in Older Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease" appeared in the December 15, 2007, issue of American Family Physician.

"As my wife Marcie and I (Robert Matthies, MD) sat in the Gulfport, Mississippi, airport waiting to return to Arizona, we reflected on our week in Biloxi (December 2007) where we had served at a free clinic for Hurricane Katrina victims. People ask me why they need a free clinic. The simple answer is that the residents are still out of work, without health insurance, and often without a home. The Gulf Coast was hit on August 29, 2005, by a 25-foot-high wall of water. The width of this huge surge was about 30 miles! Much of downtown Biloxi was swamped, and more than 250 bodies were found within the next 5-7 days, while the temperature hovered at more than 100 degrees. Many buildings were wiped off the face of the planet, and many others were so badly damaged that they had to be torn down. Businesses were lost, homes were gone, schools and medical facilities disappeared. At least 10 percent of the doctors left the city, never to return, and many of these physicians suffered home and office losses. The rebuilding has been very slow; as a US citizen, I am embarrassed at what our government has not done. The Veterans Hospital and service buildings are empty, and more than 600 VA employees lost their jobs. The US Air Force Base was almost demolished, and it has taken more than 18 months to rebuild it.

"The folks who came to our clinic were in need of considerable help, and they were very appreciative of what we did. We had five student nurses from Indiana helping at the clinic; it was a great experience for them. The work is rewarding and frustrating at the same time, but very worthwhile. These fellow citizens deserve better care than they're receiving. While New Orleans seems to get most of the publicity, Gulf Coast citizens are underserved. A FEMA trailer is at most 800-square-feet.

"I encourage my fellow family physicians to volunteer their time and expertise to help these people; you will not regret it. All kinds of volunteers are needed, not just medical professionals, so let your spouses, staff, children, and colleagues know of the need. I am more than willing to provide additional information, so I urge anyone with an interest to contact me. You can email me at matthies@cableone.net or call me at 928-445-6083."

Dr Tiffany Nunnelley received the 2008 Walter Brazie, MD, Fellowship Award. You'll find more information this award and this year's honoree under the "About Us" tab.

Dr Bethany Chernich received the 2008 James L Grobe, MD, Fellowship Award. You'll find more information this award and this year's honoree under the "About Us" tab.

Greg Lewis, MD, AzAFP Director-at-Large, was recently appointed to the Governor's Commission on Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries.

The AAFP Board of Directors appointed Melody Jordahl, MD, to a one-year term on the AAFP's Commission on Practice Enhancement, following the recommendation of the Resident and Student Screening Committee. Her appointment began December 15, 2007, and will continue through December 14, 2008.

Dr Matthew Anderson has been appointed to the AAFP's Commission on Governmental Advocacy. This action was taken by the AAFP Board of Directors following the recommendation of the Resident and Student Screening Committee. His one-year appointment is for December 15, 2007 to December 14, 2008.

Dr Keith A Frey, Professor of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, was an invited panel speaker at the Second National Summit on Preconception Health and Health Care, sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The meeting was held in Oakland, California, October 29-31, 2007, and Dr Frey was representing the AAFP. Dr Frey has been a member of the CDC's Select Panel on Preconception Health Care since its formation in 2005.

On November 6, 2007, LifeScape Medical Associates and its CEO and founder, Susan Wilder, MD (AzAFP president-elect), were honored by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce as its 2007, small business, Sterling Award recipient. The prestigious Sterling Award is one of the most coveted business awards in the Valley, with a rigorous application, judging, and selection process. Sterling Award recipients demonstrate the highest level of quality, innovation, and community stewardship said Rick Kidder, Chamber president.

Arizona family physicians Daniel Thad Earl, DO, Michael L Grover, DO, Izabela A Musial, MD, and Amalia Dolores Pineres, MD, have achieved the Degree of Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. This degree was conferred on 250 family physicians during a convocation on Saturday, October 6, in conjunction with the AAFP’s annual meeting in Chicago.

Established in 1971, the AAFP Degree of Fellow recognizes family physicians who
have distinguished themselves through service to family medicine and ongoing professional development. This year’s fellowship class brings the total number of AAFP Fellows to more than 29,000 nationwide. AAFP Fellowship entitles the physician to use the honorary designation, “Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians,” or “FAAFP.”

Criteria for receiving the AAFP Degree of Fellow consist of a minimum of six years of membership in the organization, extensive continuing medical education, participation in public service programs outside medical practice, conducting original research and serving as a teacher in family medicine.

Congratulations to these stellar individuals!

Willian Ellert, MD, was awarded the AzAFP's highest honor: Arizona Family Physician of the Year for 2008. Find more information about Dr Ellert on the Physician of the Year Page.