Each year the LAFP Foundation recognizes outstanding an outstanding medical student and one resident who exemplify outstanding leadership and scholarly accomplishments in the field of family medicine. Each winner is presented a plaque and stipend check.

E. Edward Martin, Jr., MD Family Medicine Award

The E. Edward Martin, Jr., MD Family Medicine Award was presented to Lily Morrison.  Ms. Morrison graduated from UCLA with a degree in Psychobiology, and later completed a Master’s of Public Health from the University of Edinburgh. She worked as an epidemiologist before starting medical school. During medical school, she served as the President of the Family Medicine Interest Group and was a Choosing Wisely STARS fellow. Ms. Morrison also volunteered with the New Orleans Reproductive Health Project and was a board member of the SWAMP Wilderness Medicine Club.

LSU-Shreveport Michael O. Fleming, MD Award

The Michael O. Fleming MD Family Medicine Award was presented to Stephen Tanner Ward. Mr. Ward was born in Southern California and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He graduated with a degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University. During his time in medical school, he established two charities dedicated to supporting pediatric and cancer survivor communities. The opportunity to build long-term doctor-patient relationships is what attracted Mr. Ward to family medicine. Mr. Ward is interested in sports medicine, lifestyle medicine and academia.

LSU-New Orleans Gerald R. Gehringer Family Medicine Award

The LSU-New Orleans Gerald R. Gehringer Family Medicine Award was presented to Mallory Knight Varnado.  Mallory Knight Varnado, a native of Franklinton, Louisiana, completed her undergraduate degree at Mississippi College in Biology Medical Sciences with a minor in Studio Art.  During her training at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, she developed interests in obesity medicine, culinary medicine, addiction psychiatry, and palliative care. Upon graduation, Mallory will enter the LSU Rural Family Medicine Residency Program in Bogalusa. As she looks forward to her residency training, Mallory is excited to integrate her passions for geriatric and lifestyle medicine, as well as procedural skills, to improve the health and well-being of her home parish.

Tulane Family Medicine Excellence Award

The Tulane Family Medicine Excellence Award was presented to Bridget Bunda.  Ms. Bunda received her undergraduate degree in Health Science from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. During her time at Northeastern, she explored her passion for public health, including health education and HIV care and prevention. During two gap years between undergrad and medical school, she worked at the Massachusetts General Hospital in a research group focused on improving care and prevention of HIV in both the United States and South Africa. In 2020, she began medical school at Tulane University in New Orleans. As a medical student she co-enrolled in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine to obtain her Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology.  During her third year, a 7-week clerkship in Nome, Alaska, confirmed Family Medicine was the specialty for her. What excites her most about Family Medicine is the ability to work with patients across the spectrums of age and disease severity, all the while integrating principles of primary care, prevention, and health education. She is thrilled to be joining the Full Circle Health Family Medicine Residency program in Boise, ID, this summer.

Resident Award of Excellence Award

The Resident Award of Excellence was presented to Danielle Pawlichuk, MD.  Dr. Pawlichuk is a current third-year resident at Louisiana State University Family Medicine Residency in Alexandria, LA. She is a native of Keller, Texas. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies in April 2021. She earned a Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas in May 2017.  She has served as the Resident Delegate to National Conference for American Academy of Family Physicians and as Resident Delegate to Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors.  Dr. Pawlichuk serves as a volunteer for Shreveport Mudbugs Hockey where she assists the team physician with managing various sports injuries during home games. She has served as a Sideline Team Physician for Louisiana College, Tioga High School and Arthur Smith Middle School. In 2022 and 2023, she was a USA Boxing Ringside Physician. She is a Residency Wellness Coordinator and a Recruitment Coordinator for LSU Alexandria Family Medicine Residency 2023 Match season. 

Help the Foundation continue the tradition of presenting these awards by making a donation via our secure online form.  All donations are tax free and 100% go to support our student and resident activities.  If you have questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Lee Ann Albert at 225.923.3313.