Awards and ScholarshipsKAFP and the KAFP Foundation are 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.KAFP AwardsThe 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.AwardKansas Family Physician Lifetime Achievement AwardSubmit your nominationKAFP Foundation Awards & ScholarshipsThe 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.ScholarshipCarol A Johnson MD Family Medicine International Mission ScholarshipLearn more and applyAwardKansas Family Physician of the YearSubmit your nominationScholarshipStudent Leader in Family Medicine AwardLearn more and applyAwardRising Star AwardSubmit your nominationAwardKansas Exemplary Teaching AwardSubmit your nominationAwardKansas Humanitarian AwardSubmit your nominationAAFP 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. Awards and Recognition Congratulations to the following members who have been recognized by the American Academy of Family Physicians for national achievement. AAFP FAMILY PHYSICIAN OF THE YEARNational Recipient1996 – 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 AWARDPart Time/Full Time Faculty Category1996 – Don Goering, MD (Coldwater)Volunteer Faculty Category2021 – 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 EDUCATION2014 – Perry Pugno, MD (Delaware, OH) 2013 – Dan Ostergaard, MD (Olathe) 2008 – Norman J. Kahn, MD (Prairie Village) OUTSTANDING PROGRAM DIRECTOR AWARD FROM AAFP/AFMRD2009 – Paul Callaway, MD (Wichita)