Awards

KAFP is thrilled to announce our awards nominations for 2026 are now open! Nominations will close for all categories on March 20, 2026. All recipients will be asked to participate in our Awards and Recognition ceremony during the Fam Med Forward social event.

Check out each award below and submit your nominations today. Should you have any questions about KAFP Awards or KAFP Foundation Scholarships, please email us at info@kafponline.org.

The following awards are sponsored by the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians to recognize the outstanding work of our members within their practices, for their patients and in their communities.

Click on the icon or award name for more information.

  • Kansas Family Physician Lifetime Achievement Award

    This award honors those individuals whose dedication and effective leadership have furthered the mission of family medicine. It recognizes long-term dedication, rather than any single significant contribution, and effective leadership toward furthering the development of family medicine.

  • Kansas Family Physician of the Year

    This award honors those individuals who have provided patients with compassionate, comprehensive and caring family medicine on a continuing basis. Awardees enhance the quality of their community by being directly and effectively involved in community affairs and activities. They act as a credible role model and professional to their community and to other health professionals, residents, and medicals students. They stand out among colleagues and support equitable and evidence-based medicine for all Kansans. This award recognizes work done by the member within the past year.

  • Rising Star Award

    This award honors those individuals who have provided patients with compassionate, comprehensive and caring family medicine on a continuing basis. Awardees enhance the quality of their community by being directly and effectively involved in community affairs and activities. They act as a credible role model and professional to their community and to other health professionals, residents, and medicals students. They stand out among colleagues and support equitable and evidence-based medicine for all Kansans. This award recognizes members who are fewer than 10 years post-residency with practice experience in Kansas.

  • Kansas Exemplary Teaching Award

    These awards acknowledge KAFP members who deserve recognition for exemplary teaching skills, and individuals who have implemented outstanding educational programs and/or developed innovative teaching models in Medical Education. This award is presented in two different categories: Full-Time/Part-Time Faculty and Volunteer Faculty.

  • Kansas Humanitarian Award

    This award honors extraordinary and enduring humanitarian efforts both within and beyond the borders of the Kansas.

Submit Your Nominations

Kansas Family Physician Lifetime Achievement Award

Kansas Family Physician of the Year Award

Kansas Rising Star Award

Kansas Exemplary Teaching Award (all categories)

Kansas Humanitarian Award

The following awards and scholarships are sponsored by the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians Foundation to recognize the outstanding achievements of Kansas family medicine residents and students.

Click the icon below to learn more about Foundation scholarships and awards.

  • Student Leader in Family Medicine Award

    The KAFP Foundation is now accepting applications for the  Student Leader in Family Medicine Award. This award is designed to honor third-year medical students from any Kansas medical school who has plans of going into family medicine. Award recipients will be identified and presented with a $250 award.

Submit Your Application

Carol A. Johnson, MD, Family Medicine International Mission Scholarship

Student Leader in Family Medicine Award

AAFP Awards

While KAFP automatically submit its award recipients as nominations for similar national award categories, like Family Physician of the Year, Exemplary Teaching, and Humanitarian awards, AAFP offers many additional opportunities to recognize family physicians, educators, residents and students. You can learn more about national awards here.

AAFP Awardees from Kansas

Congratulations to the following members who have been recognized by the American Academy  of Family Physicians for national achievement.

  • AAFP Family Physician of the Year

    National Recipient

    1996     Don Goering, MD (Coldwater)

    Honorable Mention (Top 5 nominee)

    2007     Paul H. Davis, MD (Wichita)
    2005     Earl Merkel, MD, FAAFP (Russell)
    2003     Rick Rajewski, MD, FAAFP (Hays)

  • AAFP Exemplary Teaching Award

    Part Time/Full Time Faculty Category

    2005     Michael Machen, MD (Quinter) (part time)

    Volunteer Faculty Category

    2021    Shelly Gruenbacher, MD (Quinter)
    2020    Edward Lind, MD, FAAFP (Derby)
    2018     Todd Miller, MD (Wichita)
    2017     Stephen Hawks, DO (Wellington)
    2012     Mary Beth Miller, MD (St. Francis)
    2011     David Netherton, MD, FAAFP (Wichita)
    2009     Barbara Coats, MD (Wichita)
    2008     Cathy Woodring, MD (Wichita)
    2005     Larry Anderson, MD, FAAFP (Wellington)
    2003     Steve Penner, MD (Wichita)
    2001     C. Joseph O’Donnell, DO (Wichita)
    2000     Ronald C. Brown, MD, FAAFP (Wichita)
    1999     Diane Nightengale, MD, FAAFP (El Dorado)
    1998     Charles Stephens, MD, FAAFP (Minneola)

  • Thomas W. Johnson Award for Outstanding Contribution to Family Medicine Education

    2014     Perry Pugno, MD (Delaware, OH)
    2013     Dan Ostergaard, MD (Olathe)
    2008     Norman J. Kahn, MD (Prairie Village)

  • Outstanding Program Director Award from AAFP/AFMRD

    2009     Paul Callaway, MD (Wichita)