Florida Family Physicians Receive Resident Scholar Award

Jacksonville, FL, January 11, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Florida Academy of Family Physicians recognizes family physicians, Dr. Elizabeth Sasse of Winter Park and Dr. Laura Church of Jacksonville, as the 2011 Exceptional Resident Scholar Award recipients. As 2011 recipients, Dr. Sasse and Dr. Church will each be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Dr. Elizabeth Sasse is a third year resident at Florida Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency Program in Winter Park. She is an active member of The American Academy of Family Physicians and The Florida Academy of Family Physicians as well as the Chief Resident of the Florida Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program.

“She is the total package of clinician and colleague,” said Dr. Eddie Needham, MD, FAAFP, Program Director of Florida Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. “She represents the best of family medicine. Her performance reflects well on herself, on our program, and on the discipline of family medicine.”

Dr. Sasse has been elected by her colleagues as Intern of the Year, PGY-2 of the year and most recently, selected to be Chief Resident for the 2011-2012 year. She also served as the Co-Social Chair and Recruitment Committee Vice-Chair of the Florida Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program for the 2010-2011 year. Additionally, The American Academy of Family Physicians selected her to present her poster at the AAFP Annual Scientific Assembly this past September. She also serves her community by volunteering her services to the uninsured patients at the Florida Hospital After Hours Clinic, as well as at sporting events, including the Walt Disney Marathon.

“Building a strong relationship with my patients and, sometimes more importantly, with their families is what I focus on first,” said Dr. Sasse. “In order to provide the best care for a patient it is important to understand what they are going through.”

Dr. Laura Church is a third year resident at St. Vincent’s Healthcare Family Medicine Residency Program in Jacksonville. She is also an active member of The American Academy of Family Physicians and The Florida Academy of Family Physicians and joined St. Vincent’s after completing her active duty in the United States Navy.

“I want to emphasize that her achievements are because of her leadership in our profession, and her willingness to look for opportunities to learn new skills, teach students and residents, and to improve the care that we provide our patients,” said Dr. David A. McInnes, MD, M.S.Ed, Program Director of St. Vincent’s Family Medicine Residency Program. “She goes the extra mile, and encourages others to do the same.”

Dr. Church was recently awarded the AAFP Foundation Pfizer Immunization Award for her efforts to improve post partum immunization rates to prevent Pertussis. Dr. Church is very involved in her community by regularly volunteering at the Sulzbacher Center in Jacksonville where she serves the homeless.

“Lara Church is an exceptional resident who embodies the highest ideals of Family Medicine in Patient care, communication, professional achievement and service,” said Dr. Robert F. Raspa, MD, St. Vincent’s Family Medicine Residency faculty member. “She distinguishes herself despite being in an outstanding group of residents.”

About Us
Florida Academy of Family Physicians (FAFP) is Florida’s medical specialty association with more than 4,000 family medicine physicians, resident physicians and medical students from across the state. FAFP works to advance the specialty of family medicine by promoting excellence and improvement in healthcare of all Floridians. Our priority is helping our members become the best family physicians possible through effective communication, legislation/regulation, education, advocacy, research, and motivation.

FAFP is the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), which represents more than 94,000 members nationwide. Through its association with the AAFP, the Florida Academy strives to promote and maintain the highest quality standards for Florida’s family physicians, provide advocacy, representation, continuing education and leadership opportunities for Florida’s family physicians; promote respect, skill and teamwork in family medicine; and preserve and promote quality, cost-effective healthcare for all Floridians through responsible advocacy and education. FAFP also acts as the active voice for family medicine, advocating key issues among patients, the medical community, legislators and regulators, third-party payers, and the public. FAFP continually works to communicate, recognize, and celebrate the issues of family medicine, while helping all Floridians understand that having a family physician is vital to their health. Additionally, we strive to promote interest in family medicine as a career by working with Florida’s six medical schools to provide quality residency and medical training programs in family medicine. FAFP’s initiatives today will ensure the future of family medicine in Florida.

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