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Senator Shirkey Honored with Friend of Family Medicine Award

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On behalf of Family Physicians, Family Medicine residents and medical students in the state, the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians presented the 2016 Friend of Family Medicine Award to Senator Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) on February 23, 2016.

“Senator Shirkey is a healthcare champion and most deserving of this award that recognizes a public official for outstanding contributions to improving the health of Michigan residents,” said Kim Yu, MD, FAAFP, president of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians. “His leadership has been instrumental to the success of the Healthy Michigan Plan; advancing the physician-led, patient care team model that ensures patients receive the best quality of care from the appropriate healthcare professional, at the right time, in the most cost-effective way; and in pursuing innovative payment and delivery models of care for Medicaid beneficiaries that will help lower costs, improve quality, and expand access to care.”

The Senator accepted the award before more than 80 Family Medicine advocates who were in Lansing on February 23 to discuss legislative and policy issues impacting the specialty and access to care for Michiganders.

“Family Physicians provide a key service in Branch, Hillsdale and Jackson counties and throughout the state,” said Senator Shirkey.  “It is truly an honor to receive the award. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent those who practice in this and other healthcare professions.”

The Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians collectively represent more than 5,000 Family Physicians, Family Medicine residents and medical students dedicated to providing comprehensive care for Michigan residents across the lifespan.

Each year, the two organizations host Family Medicine Advocacy Day to increase awareness among state legislators and their staff about the key role that Family Physicians play in the healthcare system.

To publicly recognize the contributions of Family Physicians, Governor Rick Snyder proclaimed February 21-27, 2016, as Family Medicine Week in Michigan.

Click here to watch coverage by Fox47.  Click here for media coverage by WILX TV-10.