Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians: Announces 2005 Family Physicians of the Year

For more information:
Jen Novotny
jnovotny@blmpr.com
(414) 270-3000 x 232

Cumberland, Milwaukee Physicians Receive Honor

THIENSVILLE, Wis. (December 12, 2005)—The Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians is proud to announce that Dr. Alan Carlson of Cumberland, Wis., has been named the 2005 Family Physician of the Year. The Academy also honored Dr. Jim Slawson of St. Michael Hospital in Milwaukee with this year’s Family Physician Educator of the Year award.

Dr. Carlson has practiced in the Cumberland community for nearly two decades. He has helped to establish a top-class team of quality health care professionals at Cumberland Memorial Hospital and Cumberland Medical Clinic. He also aided in the consolidation of the clinic and hospital facilities in 2002.

“I enjoy caring for the same people over their lifetime,” said Dr. Carlson. “I know my patients so well that I can place their illnesses within the context of their family lives. I try to offer them not only a cure for their illness, but guidance and friendship along the way.”

Dr. Slawson is the director of the St. Michael Family Medicine Residency program. The residency practice at St. Michael provides a personal medical home to people who live in underprivileged urban communities on the north side of Milwaukee.

Under Dr. Slawson’s leadership, the program has collaborated with local schools, churches and non-profit organizations to provide free screening clinics and immunizations, bi-weekly “Ask the Doctor” classes, and a mentoring program for teens interested in health care careers. Dr. Slawson and his residents also assist in free smoking cessation, pregnancy, parenting and obesity classes.

“The most rewarding part of being a family physician is a developing continuous, personal relationship with patients,” remarked Dr. Slawson. “These patients also have become my good friends. I want to check up on them and see how their lives are going.”

Since 1982, the Family Physician of the Year and Family Physician Educator of the Year winners have been selected by their peers in the Academy. Winners are chosen based on their outstanding service to patients and communities both inside and outside of their medical practice and for demonstrated excellence in the field of Family Medicine.

Physicians can be nominated for the award by their patients, colleagues or fellow community members and must have a strong commitment to Family Medicine. Nominees for the Family Physician Educator of the Year award also must exemplify the tradition of physician as teacher, and be recognized by students and residents as role models for health and healing in the community. Family physicians who are honored at the state level also are qualified for the national award from the American Academy of Family Physicians.

The Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians is the state chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Its mission is to promote excellence in health care and to improve the health of the people of Wisconsin through the advancement of the art and science of Family Medicine, the specialty of Family Medicine and the professional growth of Family Physicians. Family Physicians are a valuable part of every community because they provide patients a continuous health relationship, comprehensive services and a personal medical home. The Academy was established in 1948 and currently has 2,478 active and retired members, residents and students. For more information on its values and services, visit the Academy’s Web site at www.wapf.org.