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 winners were presented with a plaque and stipend check. The winners include:

E. Edward Martin, Jr. Family Medicine Award

The E. Edward Martin, Jr., MD Family Medicine Award was presented to Carlos Santaolaya.  Mr. Santaolaya is a graduate of The University of Queensland Medical School – Ochsner Health and is dedicated to pursuing a career in Family Medicine. Even before applying to medical school, Carlos talked about the type of doctor that he wanted to be without realizing that he was describing family practice. He grew up in a Spanish-speaking household in Southern California until he moved to UC Santa Cruz to obtain a BS in Human Biology. After being inspired by physicians working in public health in his college town, he moved to Belgium to complete an MS in Epidemiology at the University of Antwerp. As he has moved from one part of the world to another, he has gained extensive experience in public health, clinical research, and healthcare services and today, continues to work hard to serve his community. Carlos served as president of the Family Medicine Interest Group and as co-president to UQ-Ochsner’s Habitat for Humanity group. 

LSU-Shreveport Michael O. Fleming, MD Award

This year the Michael O. Fleming MD Family Medicine Award was presented to two medical students.

The first winner of the Michael O. Fleming MD Family Medicine Award was presented to Christian Bonner.  Mr. Bonner is a native of Baskin, LA.  He earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. During medical school, Mr. Bonner served as the treasurer for the Family Medicine Interest Group in Shreveport.  He is a student member of the LAFP as well and has attended Grand Rounds events in the Monroe area.  Mr. Bonner matched into the Rural Family Medicine Program, Monroe. 

The second winner of the Michael O. Fleming MD Family Medicine Award was presented to Madalynn Traylor. Ms. Traylor is a first-generation college graduate born and raised in southeast Louisiana.  After beginning medical school at LSU Shreveport School of Medicine, she continued her commitment to community service by working with Shreveport's Philadelphia HIV Treatment Center as an event and safe needle packaging volunteer and as Community Outreach Chair for LSUHS' Arts and Humanities in Medicine. She is currently Shreveport's Family Medicine Interest Group's Volunteer Coordinator, a role that she hopes will help support her community and inspire future family physicians. She has recently matched into Family Medicine at LSU Shreveport and plans to continue to dedicate her efforts to communities throughout Louisiana.

LSU-New Orleans Gerald R. Gehringer Family Medicine Award

The Gerald R. Gehringer Family Medicine Award was presented to Dorian Joye O’Sullivan.  Ms. O’Sullivan is a native of Grand Coteau, Louisiana.  She began her academic journey at the Academy of the Sacred Heart before earning a Bachelor of Music from Loyola University New Orleans. She later pursued a master’s degree in Developmental and Educational Psychology at Boston College.

Ms. O’Sullivan returned to New Orleans, where she was accepted into the dual MD/MPH program at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine. As a member of the Class of 2025 and a Primary Care Scholar, she concentrated her public health studies in Health Policy and Systems Management. Throughout medical school, she was actively involved in initiatives to support her peers and enhance medical education, notably through her leadership roles in the Aesculapian Society and the Clinical Skills Club.

Ms. O’Sullivan matched into the Family Medicine Residency at DePaul Community Health Centers in New Orleans East, where she will continue her commitment to community-centered care. Her professional interests include comprehensive primary care delivery, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, and medical education. She resides in New Orleans with her husband, Conor, their son, Cían, and their poodle, Molly.

Tulane Family Medicine Excellence Award

The Tulane Family Medicine Excellence Award was presented to Tim Wang.  Mr. Wang is from Marietta, GA and attended college and medical school at Tulane University in the very special city of New Orleans.  He is passionate about community-building and racial/social justice.  In his free time, he enjoys eating delicious food, playing and listening to music, and doing sports outside.  He is proud to represent his Taiwanese and Chinese family and speaks Mandarin. Mr. Wang matched into the Swedish/Cherry Hill in Seattle, WA.

Resident of Excellence Award

The Resident Award of Excellence was presented to Aastha Gupta, MD.  Dr. Gupta is currently a third-year resident at Louisiana State University Family Medicine Residency in Monroe, LA.  She is from Ludhiana in Punjab, India. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Government Medical College, Patiala. 

Dr. Gupta has served as the Resident Administrative Chief as well as a member of the Wellness Committee where she co-authored the wellness curriculum for the program.  Dr. Gupta has demonstrated scholarly accomplishment and leadership, presenting cases at the local and national level, both in the field of family medicine, and in primary care sports medicine.

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.