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 10 of each year. The following are the Chapter Awards, with a list of the recipients of the past 5 years included.
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.
| 2007 | Kathryn Cheek, MD |
| 2008 | Jay E. Berkelhamer, MD |
| 2009 | Richard Besser, MD |
| 2010 | Lynne D. Feldman, MD |
| 2011 | Norman “Chip” Harbaugh, MD |
| 2012 | William H. Dietz, MD, PhD |
| 2013 | Jose O. Rodriguez-Torres, MD |
| 2014 | Cyrus Samai, 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.
| 2007 | Yolanda Wimberly, MD |
| 2008 | Kathryn McLeod, MD, Melinda Willingham, MD |
| 2009 | Iris Basilio, MD, Robert Forbes, MD, Steve Hobby, MD |
| 2010 | Benjamin Spitalnick, MD, Joshua Smith, MD |
| 2011 | Michelle R. Zeanah, MD |
| 2012 | Christopher M. Young, MD |
| 2013 | C. Wesley Lindsey. MD, Dixie D. Griffin, MD |
| 2014 | Angela Highbaugh-Battle, MD, Keith Seibert, 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.
| 2007 | Atlanta Journal-Constitution, HealthSTAT |
| 2008 | Sarah Ashe, VOICES for Georgia’s Children, Donald Whitney |
| 2009 | Linda Lowe, Tera Martin-Mize |
| 2010 | Joe W. Rogers, Jr., Scott Ressmeyer |
| 2011 | Donna W. Hyland, Judith A. Gay, NP |
| 2012 | John & Candy Bogardus |
| 2013 | First Lady Sandra Deal, David Cook |
| 2014 | Brenda Fitzgerald, MD, Alan Judd |
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.
| 2007 | Representative Donna Sheldon, Senator Tim Golden |
| 2008 | Representative Judy Manning |
| 2009 | Representative Mickey Channell |
| 2010 | Senator Jack Hill |
| 2011 | Representative Larry J. “Butch” Parrish |
| 2012 | Representative Richard Smith |
| 2013 | Senator Renee Unterman |
| 2014 | Representative Larry O’Neal |
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)
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.
| 2007 | Barbara Bruner, MD |
| 2008 | Michael K. Levine, MD |
| 2009 | Charles Linder, MD |
| 2010 | R. Dwain Blackston, MD |
| 2011 | Paul M. Fernhoff, MD (Awarded Posthumously) |
| 2012 | Joseph V. Morrison, MD |
| 2013 | William P. Kanto, Jr., MD |
| 2014 | Oscar S. Spivey, MD |