Upper Peninsula Health Education Corporation

Ironwood Doc receives Family Physician of the Year Award

Friday, June 13, 2008

MARQUETTE – James Hubbard, MD, of Grand View Health System in Ironwood works hard, enjoys people and teaching, has a great bedside manner and just happens to be Michigan’s 2008 Family Physician of the Year.

“I’m very excited and honored by this award,” Hubbard said.

The award is presented annually based on nominations by Michigan Academy of Family Physicians members, component chapters and county medical societies. The award is presented to a physician who exemplifies the tradition of family physicians and their contribution to the health of Michigan’s citizens.

Hubbard was nominated for the MAFP’s Family Medicine Educator of the Year award by Suzanne Clarke, MD, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Rural Physician Program, family medicine clerkship director. Letters of support were provided by Bill Short, MD, Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program director and Sarah Roberts, MD, a 2008 graduate of the Rural Physician Program.

“Dr. Hubbard is an excellent teacher and role model for our students and residents here in the UP, I only wish there were where more like him,” said Clarke.

The Rural Physician Program recruits students from small-town backgrounds who then complete their training in a rural setting. MSU-CHM believes these are the individuals most likely to practice in rural communities.

Although Hubbard was nominated for the Family Medicine Educator of the Year award, the Academy’s nominating committee chose to recommend him for the broader Family Physician of the Year award.

In a letter notifying Hubbard of the award, Janice Klos, CAE, CEO of the MAFP, said, “In reviewing all of the supporting materials provided on your behalf, members of the Nominating Committee were impressed with your role as a volunteer preceptor and your full scope of family medicine, including OB. It is, therefore, my privilege to advise you that, upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee, the Board of Directors has selected you as MAFP’s 2008 Family Physician of the Year.”    

“I feel blessed to have the opportunity to touch so many lives and to have the MAFP recognize me with this honor is just icing on the cake,” Hubbard said.

The award will be presented July 17, 2008, during the Delegates’ Luncheon and Installation of Officers at Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City.

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