Chapter Awards
Each fall the Georgia Chapter recognizes outstanding contributions to Georgia’s children and to the Chapter via the presentation of several awards. Chapter members may nominate individuals who met award criteria by August of each year. The following are the Chapter Awards, with a list of the recipients of the past 10 years included. We did not give awards in 2020.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Awarded to Chapter member for outstanding achievement in pediatrics in past 1-3 years including patient care, teaching, research, advocacy, & Chapter service.
| 2010 | Lynne D. Feldman, MD |
| 2011 | Norman “Chip” Harbaugh, MD |
| 2012 | William H. Dietz, MD, PhD |
| 2013 | Jose O. Rodrigues-Torres, MD |
| 2014 | Cyrus Samai, MD |
| 2015 | Dixie Griffin, MD |
| 2016 | Melinda Willingham, MD |
| 2017 | Anna Kuo, MD |
| 2018 | Amy Hardin, MD |
| 2019 | Kids Docs on Wheels |
| 2021 | Sally Goza, MD |
| 2022 | Tarayn Fairlie, MD |
| 2023 | April L. Hartman, MD |
| 2024 | Jeffeory H. White, MD |
YOUNG PHYSICIAN AWARD: Awarded to a Chapter member under the age of 40 who has made an outstanding contribution in pediatrics, including research, improving access to care, developing model programs for care, service to the Chapter or child advocacy.
| 2010 | Benjamin Spitalnick, MD & Joshua Smith, MD |
| 2011 | Michelle R. Zeanah, MD |
| 2012 | Christopher M. Yound, MD |
| 2013 | C. Wesley Lindsey, MD & Dixie D. Griffin, MD |
| 2014 | Angela Highbaugh-Battle, MD & Keith Seibert, MD |
| 2015 | Yameika Head, MD |
| 2016 | Jennifer Collier-Madon, MD |
| 2017 | Melissa Boekhaus, MD |
| 2018 | Leah Helton, MD & Jonathan Popler |
| 2019 | Katherine Duncan, MD & Sylvia Washington, MD |
| 2021 | David O’Banion, MD |
| 2022 | Allison Rose, MD |
| 2023 | R. Allen Ligon Jr, MD |
| 2024 | Flavia Rossi, MD |
FRIEND OF CHILDREN AWARD: Awarded to a non-pediatrician, for outstanding contributions to the health, development, and well-being of children in Georgia in the past year.
| 2010 | Joe W. Rogers, Jr. & Scott Ressmeyer |
| 2011 | Donna W. Hyland, MD & Judith A. Gay, NP |
| 2012 | John & Candy Bogardus |
| 2013 | First Lady Sandra Deal & David Cook |
| 2014 | Brenda Fitzgerald, MD & Alan Judd |
| 2015 | Cynthia Lee, LPC & Peter & Holly Ranney |
| 2016 | Governor Nathan Deal |
| 2017 | Clark Howard |
| 2018 | Kayla Lewis |
| 2019 | Beverly Knight Olson |
| 2021 | Kisner Foundation |
| 2022 | Jennifer Poulos, Psy.D. |
| 2023 | Ariel Hart & Helena Oliviero, Atlanta Journal Consitution |
| 2024 | Resilient Georgia |
LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD: Awarded for exemplary contributions on behalf of children and pediatrics during the past state legislative session. Awards may be made to both a House & Senate member.
| 2010 | Senator Jack Hill |
| 2011 | Representative Larry J. “Butch” Parrish |
| 2012 | Representative Richard Smith |
| 2013 | Senator Renee Unterman |
| 2014 | Representative Larry O’Neal |
| 2015 | Representative Jan Jones & Senator Dean Burke |
| 2016 | Representative Terry England & Senator Dean Burke |
| 2017 | Representative Katie Dempsey |
| 2018 | Representative John Carson |
| 2019 | Representative Sharon Cooper |
| 2021 | Senator Kay Kirkpatrick & Rep. Teri Anulewicz |
| 2022 | Senator Michelle Au, MD |
| 2023 | Representative Todd Jones & Mary Margaret Oliver |
| 2024 | Representative Darlene Taylor |
FOUNDATION CHAMPION AWARD: This award, established in 2011, honors the exceptional work of a member or volunteer on behalf of the Pediatric Foundation of Georgia.
2011 James R. Soapes (Inaugural Recipient)
SPECIAL AWARD: Advocacy Heros
2023 Sofia Chaudhary, MD & Kiesha Fraser Doh, MD
COVID Healthcare Hero AWARD: Established 2021
2021 Jane Wilkov, MD; Evan Anderson, MD; & Stephen Thacker, MD
Georgia Department of Public Health Award:
2024 Jose O. Rodriguez, MD
LEILA D. DENMARK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: The highest award the Georgia Chapter can bestow. This is awarded to a Chapter member in recognition of the individual’s lifetime of work and contributions in pediatrics. Named in honor of pioneering pediatrician Leila Denmark, MD, one of the first female physicians in Georgia. She died at the age of 114 in April 2012.
| 2010 | R. Dwain Blackston, MD |
| 2011 | Paul M. Fernhoff, MD |
| 2012 | Joseph V. Morrison, MD |
| 2013 | William P. Kanto, Jr., MD |
| 2014 | Oscar S. Spivey, MD |
| 2015 | Elma M. Steves, MD |
| 2016 | Joseph Snitzer, MD |
| 2017 | William Sexson, MD |
| 2018 | Doris M. Greenberg, MD |
| 2019 | Harry Keyserling, MD |
| 2021 | Wendell Todd, MD |
| 2022 | Gary Freed, DO |
| 2023 | Jay E. Berkelhamer, MD |
| 2024 | D. Ross MacLeod, MD |