I want to
Linkedin-in Facebook-f Twitter

Nominate a Colleague

Family Physician of the Year Award (FPOY)

This award recognizes outstanding ACFP family physician members who exemplify what being a family doctor is all about – providing exceptional care to their patients, making significant contributions to the health and well-being of their community and/or society in general, and dedicating themselves to the education of future generations of family doctors.

As part of the adjudication process, the successful recipient will also be nominated as the Reg L. Perkin Family Physician of the Year for Alberta, bestowed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Candidates are nominated by their peers or colleagues.
Submission Deadline is April 1, 2026
Download Nomination Form

Award Criteria

  • The nominee is an ACFP/CFPC member who has been in good standing for at least one year and has been practising for a minimum of 10 years
  • Candidates may be recognized for providing exceptional care to their patients and making meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of their communities
  • Candidates may be recognized for their dedication as researchers and educators of future generations of family doctors
  • Each nominee must be community based and act as a resource to a practice population
  • Candidates must recognize the central importance of the doctor-patient relationship
  • Demonstrates outstanding leadership in the areas of advocacy, community service and/or education
  • Exemplifies the four principles of family medicine:
    • The family physician is a skilled clinician
    • Family medicine is a community-based discipline
    • The family physician is a resource to a defined practice population
    • The patient-physician relationship is central to the role of the family physician
  • The nominee is NOT a current member of the ACFP Board or the Member Engagement and Recognition Committee
  • The nominee has NOT received this award previously (to the best of your knowledge)

Award Prize

The recipient of this award will receive:

  • A personalized “Tree of Caring” Kitras Award
  • A cash award of $500
  • Acknowledgement through the ACFP’s publications, communication channels, and during the annual Family Medicine Summit 
  • A complimentary registration to attend the Summit as well as travel expenses including up to two nights accommodation at the conference hotel

Need Support?

Email the ACFP at ACFPAwards@acfp.ca.

→ Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren

2025 Award Recipients

The ACFP is proud to celebrate all physicians, residents, students, and clinics who demonstrate excellence in family practice. 

 To learn more about this year’s amazing list of recipients as well as previous ACFP Award winners, visit our Award Recipients page through the button below.

Award Recipients

Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren

2025 Family Physician Of The Year

Born and raised in Claresholm, Alberta, Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren has practiced as a rural general specialist in Sundre since 1999. Dr. Warren has provided service at the Sundre Hospital for over 25 years providing low risk intrapartum care until its loss in 2020, acute care, and emergency care services. Dr. Warren is a clinical associate professor at the University of Calgary and at the University of Alberta. In addition, she is the co-owner of the Moose and Squirrel Medical clinic in Sundre. Dr. Warren raised a family of three to adulthood and is enjoying Act III with her husband, Rob.

Family medicine mentor/s

My family medicine mentor is Dr. Brad Bahler, a family physician rural generalist in Sylvan Lake, Alberta. He has been a key figure in Alberta in working in the Patients Medical Home and in designing patient-centred funding models. 

One thing I love about family medicine is…

The variety. In rural practice, our patients deserve the same level of care they would receive in a city but due to location, they are often not given this. I love being able to work full scope, offering our community care that allows them care in place—u/s guided joint injections, women’s health, transgender care, prenatal/postnatal care, and procedures to name a few. As a rural preceptor, I love teaching residents these skills so that they too can offer this care no matter where they work. Following my patients of 26 years, I appreciate the superpower of family medicine – continuity!

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician…

It surprised me that family physicians who train in teams in residency (i.e., hospital) do not work in teams in their community practice. Shortly after residency, physicians become siloed – trying to do it all themselves. This in turn scares them off longitudinal care and contributes to burnout. Working in a team that works to full scope spreads the workload and keeps balance for all, not just direct patient care but indirect care (e.g., forms, lab follow up, etc.). This makes work fun and we can prevent burnout!  I think this is the way forward for family medicine – physician-led teams.

If I weren’t a family physician, I’d be…

A zoologist! I love animals “more than anything.” I spend free time in my sunroom with my husband watching our local wildlife do their daily activities. My favourite travels include wildlife such as going to the Galapagos or visiting the Great Bear Rainforest by boat. I can spend hours watching animals in their natural habitats.

Find a Family Doctor

Register for the Summit

Attend Thursday Evening Webinars

Report my Mainpro+ Credits

Volunteer with the ACFP

Nominate a Colleague