KAFP Press release

LOUISVILLE — Dr. Naren James, a family physician in Stanford, was the 2017 recipient of the Kentucky Academy of Family Physicians (KAFP) Citizen Doctor of the Year Award. Dr. James received the award at the Kentucky Academy of Family Physicians 66th Annual Scientific Assembly held at the Embassy Suites in Louisville on Sept. 28.

The Citizen Doctor of the Year Award honors an outstanding, community-minded family physician of strong moral values whose deeds and actions exemplify the characteristic of service before self. This individual magnifies the specialty of family medicine’s focus on providing compassionate, comprehensive care through pioneered advances in medical education, research, patient care, and community service for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Nominated by Dr. Samuel Matheny, Professor of Family Medicine and Community Medicine at the University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Dr. Michael Rankin, a fellow native of Lincoln County, and Stanford City Mayor, Eddie Carter, Dr. James is recognized for being an outstanding physician, providing a full scope of family medicine including obstetrics in his practice.

In addition to his medical skills, his unwavering dedication to his community is unparalleled. This is exemplified by Dr. James’ “ability to organize and provide leadership that have resulted in improved level of healthcare and educational improvement of Stanford.” He is a current member of the Stanford County City Council, has served on the Lincoln County Ambulance Board, the Lincoln County Board of Health, and various other local civic organizations. Dr. James founded a Center for Better Living whose purpose is to promote healthy lifestyle choices to the people of Lincoln County and surrounding communities.

Dr. James’ passion for education is demonstrated through his dedicated role as a volunteer faculty member at five different universities in the Kentucky area. His willingness to serve as a mentor and preceptor to prospective medical students, medical students, and residents has shed a light on the rewards being a family physician in a rural community can have for these future physicians.

Founded in 1948, the Kentucky Academy of Family Physicians represents more than 1,500 physicians and medical students statewide. It is the largest medical specialty society devoted solely to primary care. The Kentucky Academy of Family Physicians is a chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians.