“The New York State Academy of Family Physicians (NYSAFP) is very pleased to recognize Member and Program Director at the University of Rochester/Highland Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Stephen Schultz, M.D., recipient of the esteemed Nikitas J. Zervanos Outstanding Program Director Award said NYSAFP President Jason Matuszak, M.D..” During the virtual Residency Leadership Summit, which begins March 3rd and runs through March 6, 2021, Dr. Schultz will be presented with this great honor by the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors. “For nearly two decades, Dr. Schultz has served as a teacher and mentor to countless students who are now board-certified family physicians, serving their patients and communities as he taught. Dr. Schultz places strong emphasis on advocacy and global health, teaching students about the positive impact that they can have, not only on their own communities, but also working with impoverished and underserved areas around the world,” continued Matuszak.

“Dr. Schultz has led the nationally renowned, Highland Hospital/University of Rochester Medical Center Family Medicine Residency for the past 19 years,” shared Colleen T. Fogarty, MD, Msc, FAAFP, William Rocktaschel Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester. “During his tenure, he developed and added new programs in Global Health, Political Advocacy and Leadership, and developed Areas of Concentration in psychosocial medicine and maternity care to enhance Family Medicine residents’ training experiences. He additionally developed systems and support for residents’ learning and competency assessment. Dr. Schultz accomplished all of this as Program Director while continuing a longstanding continuity practice at Highland Family Medicine and attending on the Department of Family Medicine inpatient service at Highland Hospital. I’m so pleased for him to be recognized by this national honor!” Upon learning of his award, Dr. Schultz shared, “…This is what I’m meant to do, working with residents and helping patients. Someone comes to me as a medical student, and three years later they’re a board-certified family physician. There’s a high level of satisfaction in that.”

“Dr. Schultz exemplifies what it means to be a family physician, caring for patients holistically, and teaching future generations how to provide compassionate, patient-centered care while promoting community health as health educators and through community service. Dr. Schultz is a true leader in family medicine that we should all strive to emulate. He has left his mark on so many young physicians and on the Rochester community at large. We congratulate Dr. Schultz on this well-deserved award,” concluded Matuszak.

NYSAFP represents over 7,000 physicians, residents and students in family medicine across the State. NYSAFP Family Physicians are board-certified and specialize in family medicine. Family physicians focus on the whole patient providing care throughout their lifetime. They provide comprehensive healthcare services to treat diseases and injuries in all age groups from newborns to the geriatric population and across all medical fields. Family Physicians focus on prevention, wellness and overall care coordination for patients and family medicine is the only specialty to focus on the care of the entire family unit. Family Physicians are also a main source of primary health care in New York and across the country.