Celebrate Excellence in Family Medicine
The Arkansas Academy of Family Physicians proudly recognizes outstanding individuals who are shaping the future of family medicine in Arkansas. Our annual awards honor exceptional leadership, service, advocacy, mentorship, and early career excellence. These honors celebrate those who go above and beyond for their patients, their peers, and the profession.
Whether you’re recognizing a seasoned physician, a dedicated advocate, a rising resident, or a champion of community care—these awards spotlight the best in family medicine. We invite you to nominate someone who inspires you.
2025 ARAFP Awards
Awards will be presented at the Annual Scientific Assembly during the Family Medicine Celebration Dinner Friday, August 25 at the Wyndham Hotel in North Little Rock.
🏆 Outstanding Student of Family Medicine
This award recognizes one exceptional medical student from each Arkansas medical school who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the values of family medicine. Recipients will have shown outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and active engagement in family medicine-related activities.
Eligibility: Must be an ARAFP member in good standing. Each College of Medicine ultimately determines the winner to represent their college.
Resident Leader Award
This award recognizes one exceptional medical student from each Arkansas medical school who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the values of family medicine. Recipients will have shown outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and active engagement in family medicine-related activities.
Eligibility: Nominees must be a current resident or fellow in Arkansas and exhibit excellence in the following areas: Promotion and advocacy of family medicine. Demonstrated leadership within ARAFP, their program, or the broader community. Professionalism and integrity in clinical and academic setting. Community involvement or service. Mentorship and support of fellow residents.
🌟 Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award honors a family medicine resident who demonstrates exceptional promise as a future leader in the specialty. This prestigious recognition celebrates a resident who goes above and beyond in their commitment to patients, peers, and the profession — showing initiative, leadership, compassion, and a clear dedication to advancing family medicine.
Eligibility: Must be a current resident and ARAFP member.
🌅 The Horizon Award for Early Career Excellence
Honors a family physician within 7 years of residency who is already shaping the future of the profession.
Eligibility: Family physician within 7 years post-residency; ARAFP member.
🫱 Heart of Family Medicine Award
This award honors an individual—either a family physician or a community member—whose work embodies the spirit and mission of family medicine through exceptional service to underserved populations, impactful community outreach, or advocacy that elevates the specialty. Whether through direct patient care, legislative work, public engagement, or media efforts, the recipient demonstrates a deep commitment to improving the health and well-being of Arkansans.
Eligibility: Open to both ARAFP physician members and non-physicians (such as legislators, media representatives, or community leaders
🛡️ Preceptor of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding family medicine preceptor who has gone above and beyond in mentoring and educating the next generation of family physicians. The honoree will have demonstrated exceptional commitment to teaching, a passion for family medicine, and a meaningful impact on the students and/or residents they have guided.
Eligibility: Must be a current member of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians (ARAFP). – Must have a minimum of three (3) years of experience precepting medical students and/or residents in the state of Arkansas. -Must have actively precepted within the past 12 to 24 months.
📅 Nomination Deadline: July 15
📩 Questions? Contact us at mary@arkansasafp.org or call 501-316-4011.