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.
2011 | Norman “Chip” Harbaugh, MD |
2012 | William H. Dietz, MD, PhD |
2013 | Jose O. Rodriguez-Torres, MD |
2014 | Cyrus Samai, MD |
2015 | Dixie Griffin, MD |
2016 | Melinda Willingham, MD |
2017 | Anna Kuo, 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.
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 |
2015 | Yameika Head, MD |
2016 | Jennifer Collier-Madon, MD |
2017 | Melissa Boekhaus, 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.
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 |
2015 | Cynthia Lee, LPC & Peter & Holly Ranney |
2016 | Governor Nathan Deal |
2017 | Clark Howard |
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.
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 |
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.
2011 | Paul M. Fernhoff, MD (Awarded Posthumously) |
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 |