NYS Academy of Family Physicians Announces New President and the Winners of the 2022 Family Physician of the Year and Family Practice Educator of the Year Awards Competition
NYS Academy of Family Physicians Announces New President and the Winners of the 2022 Family Physician of the Year and
Family Practice Educator of the Year Awards Competition
Albany, NY, May 21, 2022: The New York State Academy of Family Physicians (NYSAFP) represents nearly 7,000 physicians, residents and students in family medicine across the State. Today, NYSAFP announced its new President Andrew Symons, MD MS, FAAFP elected to lead the Academy over the next year, along with the winners of an awards competition that the organization conducts annually.
“It is a great honor and privilege for me to pass the torch to my dear friend and colleague Dr. Andrew Symons who assumes the presidency of our esteemed organization today,” said Dr. James Mumford, immediate-Past President of NYSAFP.
Dr. Symons is board certified in Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Addiction Medicine and serves as Clinical Professor of Family Medicine & Vice Chair for Medical Student Education at the University at Buffalo’s School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Symons also provides primary care and addiction medicine services to patients at UBMD Family Medicine in Tonawanda NY where he resides.
“Dr. Symons is a very accomplished physician and educator in the greater Buffalo area. He has received many awards and honors throughout his years of practice. He has also presented on a variety of medical topics at professional conferences, conceived and presented posters, and written journal articles and books. Dr. Symons is renowned and admired for the impact he’s had on his students at UB and for his lifesaving work in addiction medicine and other patient care. NYSAFP is very lucky to have Dr. Symons as our new President and we are eager to see the mark he leaves in this critical role,” added Mumford.
Today, the Academy also announced the winners of its annual awards for Family Physician of the Year and Family Practice Educator of the Year. Physicians are nominated by their patients, students and colleagues for their strong commitment to family medicine.
“As Dr. James Mumford passes the Presidential baton to Dr. Symons, we are very pleased to recognize James Mumford, MD FAAFP of Manhattan as our 2022 Family Physician of the Year,” said Vito Grasso, EVP of NYSAFP. “This award recognizes an exemplary member of the family medicine profession in New York who has worked tirelessly to ensure the highest quality of care for his or her patients and to support the profession. There is no one more deserving of this recognition than Dr. Mumford. He has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to NYSAFP as our President in 2021-22 and as a leader within the Academy for many years. Dr. Mumford has also been a fierce patient advocate throughout his career and an inspiring teacher to future doctors.”
Dr. Mumford who practices at Northwell Health received numerous nominations from colleagues citing his strong commitment to Family Medicine, his many professional achievements and the positive impact that he has on his patients and students’ lives. Among the many letters of support received for his nomination, Dr. Mumford was recognized for his selfless dedication to patient-centered care and his advocacy in addressing social determinants of health, advancing health equity and promoting diversity and inclusion during his tenure as Academy President.
Also on May 21st, Barbara Keber, MD FAAFP of Glen Head Long Island was awarded 2022 Family Practice Educator of the Year. NYSAFP established this award to recognize excellence in education. It is given annually to a member who has made outstanding contributions to teaching family medicine in the undergraduate, graduate and continuing education spheres.
Dr. Keber is the Chair of Family Medicine at Northwell Health Glen Cove Hospital and is Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health and Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Brookville NY. Dr. Keber is a past-President of NYSAFP.
“Dr. Keber received many glowing nominations from students and colleagues acknowledging her as an outstanding Family Medicine educator and an exceptional role model for her students and residents,” said Grasso. “She was further lauded as a wonderful and inspiring mentor and was characterized as the epitome of a family medicine educator. It is a great honor to be able to recognize the many achievements and dedication of Dr. Keber to the next generation of family physicians.”
The awards were presented to the recipients at NYSAFP’s Awards dinner during its Congress of Delegates, held this year on May 21, 2022 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany.
Family Physicians are board-certified and specialize in family medicine. Family physicians focus on the whole patient providing care throughout their lifetime. They provide comprehensive healthcare services to treat diseases and injuries in all age groups from newborns to the geriatric population and across all medical fields. The expertise of family physicians is not limited by problem origin, organ system or diagnosis. Many family physicians also deliver babies and perform procedures such as endoscopies, minor surgery and dermatological procedures.
Family Physicians focus on prevention, wellness and overall care coordination for patients and family medicine is the only specialty to focus on the care of the entire family unit. Family Physicians are also a main source of primary health care in New York and across the country.
