A Night to Celebrate Utah Family Medicine
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the UAFP Annual Member Meeting and Awards Dinner on Thursday, September 24, at the Murray Armory! It was a wonderful evening of connection, celebration, and more than a few standing ovations, and we’re so grateful to the members, families, and friends who made it special.
Posters, Networking, and a “PGY 24”
We kicked off the evening with our medical student poster session and time to catch up with colleagues from across the state. Former AAFP Board member Dr. Jay Lee, who jokingly calls himself a “PGY 24,” joined us from California to share an AAFP update along with plenty of laughter and encouragement.
Honoring Our 2026 Award Recipients
Family Medicine Educator of the Year (Inaugural): Dr. Matt Eastman
Residents know Dr. Eastman for two phrases: “Let’s look it up together” and, when a tough case walks in, “Great case.” He treats patients and learners alike as partners, brings physiology and evidence to life (his hyponatremia talks are legendary), and creates a space where residents feel safe to ask for help. One resident credits him with the confidence to run for chief resident; another says he’s part of why they chose their program. We couldn’t imagine a better first recipient of this award.
Family Medicine Physician of the Year: Dr. Dan C. Henry, Jr.
As one longtime partner put it, Dr. Henry has “served two careers.” The first was as a founding partner of Foothill Family Clinic, delivering babies and caring for generations of Utah families. The second grew from the loss of his daughter, Danielle, to migraine in 1999. Dr. Henry turned that grief into purpose: training dozens of clinicians, creating the free Migraine Toolbox CME resource, and co-founding the Danielle Byron Henry Migraine Foundation, whose Migraine at School program has reached more than 8,000 schools and 5 million students nationwide. The room rose to its feet in a standing ovation for a physician whose impact spans the country and generations.
Family Medicine Champion of the Year: Representative Katy Hall
Rep. Hall, a nurse by background, sponsored legislation to eliminate non-compete clauses in health care. From day one, she made clear the bill would end health care non-competes, not just narrow them, and she held that line through a fast-moving session. Her leadership gave the bill its backbone, and we’re deeply grateful to have her in our corner.
Thank You, Dr. Lynsey Drew
We also paused to recognize our outgoing board president, Dr. Lynsey Drew, for a year of dedicated service and leadership. Her commitment to our members and to family medicine in Utah has left UAFP stronger, and we’re grateful she’ll continue to guide us as Immediate Past-President. Thank you, Dr. Drew!
Welcoming New AAFP Fellows
Dr. Lee led a convocation for our newest AAFP Fellows, Dr. Scott Black and Dr. Jerica Johnson, and inducted UAFP President Dr. Tyson Schwab. Congratulations on this well-earned distinction!
Congratulations to Our Poster Session Winners!
We couldn’t host our poster sessions without the generous support of Comagine Health. Thank you for continuing to support our students and residents!
š„ 1st Place: Aruna Dhungel, “‘No One Ever Asked Me’: Addressing Polypharmacy, Caregiver Burden, and Goals of Care in an 86-Year-Old Woman”
š„ 2nd Place: Rachel Pernick, “Peer Education on the Diabetic Foot Exam for First-Year Medical Students”
š„ 3rd Place: Kendon Holdaway and Viviana Bravo, “Epidemiology of Calciphylaxis Cutis in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients”
š People’s Choice: Aruna Dhungel
All of our winners are students at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah. Thank you to every student who presented. Your research and enthusiasm made the night!
