ELKINS, W.Va. — Johanna Fisher Biola, MD, FAAFP, a family physician at Davis Medical Center (DMC) in Elkins, W.Va., has achieved the Degree of Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the national medical association representing nearly 134,600 family physicians, residents and medical students.

The degree was conferred on more than 250 family physicians during a convocation on Friday, September 27, in conjunction with the AAFP’s annual meeting in Philadelphia, Pa.

Dr. Biola joined DMC in 2011 and is pleased to have earned the distinction.

“The AAFP supports family physicians through education, research and so much more,” said Dr. Biola. “In preparing for the Fellow Degree, I gained valuable insight into the vital role family practice will play in the future of healthcare, especially in small communities and rural settings.”

Dr. Biola received her medical degree at West Virginia University School of Medicine.  She is certified by the American Board of Family Practice, and during her residency with the WVU Rural Family Practice Residency program, served as Chief Resident and received the AHEC Community Service Award. She was an assistant professor with the WVU Hospitals East, Department of Family Medicine and selected as Preceptor of the Year at Jefferson Memorial Hospital by medical students.

“Dr. Biola is an outstanding individual.  She has completed this Fellow Degree while maintaining her full-time medical practice, and health system leadership roles.  Additionally, she and her husband are raising a family and contribute to the community in various volunteer capacities,” said Carl Nichols, MBA, FACHE, and Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for Davis Health System.  “This is characteristic of many of our medical staff members, and makes our care providers a valued and very unique group. We offer our sincere thanks and congratulations to Dr. Biola.”

Established in 1971, the AAFP Degree of Fellow recognizes family physicians who have distinguished themselves through service to family medicine and ongoing professional development. This year’s fellowship class brings the total number of AAFP Fellows to more than 17,600 nationwide. AAFP Fellowship entitles the physician to use the honorary designation, “Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians,” or “F.A.A.F.P.”

Criteria for receiving the AAFP Degree of Fellow consist of a minimum of six years of membership in the organization, extensive continuing medical education, and participation in public service programs outside medical practice, conducting original research and serving as a teacher in family medicine.

The AAFP was the first national medical specialty organization to require its members to complete a minimum of 150 hours of accredited continuing medical education every three years. It is the only medical specialty society devoted solely to primary care.

The Degree of Fellow recognizes AAFP members who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues, as well as in their communities, by their service to family medicine, by their advancement of health care to the American people, and by their professional development through medical education and research. Fellows of the AAFP are recognized as champions of family medicine. They are the physicians who make family medicine the premier specialty in service to their community and profession. From a personal perspective, being a Fellow signifies not only ‘tenure’ but one’s additional work in your community, within organized medicine, within teaching, and a greater commitment to continuing professional development and/or research.

About the American Academy of Family Physicians

Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents nearly 134,600 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.

Nearly one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 208 million office visits each year — nearly 83 million more than to the next medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide the majority of care for America’s underserved and rural populations. In the increasingly fragmented world of health care where many medical specialties limit their practice to a particular organ, disease, age or sex, family physicians are dedicated to treating the whole person across the full spectrum of ages. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the American Academy of Family Physicians and about the specialty of family medicine, please visit www.aafp.org.