California Academy of Family Physicians honors MemorialCare Medical Group physician for excellence in medical practice, teaching and advocacy
San Francisco – Jeffrey Luther, MD, a family physician who practices in Long Beach, has been selected from among the more than 9,000 members of the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) as the 2016 Family Physician of the Year. Dr. Luther is being recognized for his excellence in the practice of medicine and patient care; his leadership roles in training the next generations of family physicians; and his public and legislative advocacy to improve health care statewide.
Dr. Luther practices as a member of the Memorial Care Medical Group in the Memorial Care Health System. He also is director of the Memorial Care Family Medicine Residency Program, training new physicians entering the specialty of family medicine.
Recognized by colleagues as a compassionate physician who delivers state-of-the-art medical care, Dr. Luther serves as an inspiration to longtime physician colleagues as well as younger physicians.
“From the exam room to the state Legislature, Dr. Luther shows what a dedicated family physician can accomplish,” said CAFP Immediate Past President Jay Lee, MD, MPH. “He provides outstanding direct care and also pursues health policy solutions that affect patients and their care. From supporting health care reform that expanded coverage to millions of Californians to advocating for families’ wider use of childhood vaccines, Dr. Luther is a true patient advocate.”
As a leader in vaccine advocacy who educates parents about vaccine safety and encourages more families to vaccinate their children against preventable diseases, Dr. Luther also represents CAFP on the California Immunization Committee. In addition, his clinical interests include public health, asthma and allergies, and supporting patient weight loss.
A past CAFP president and a member of the CAFP Board of Directors, he provides leadership and physician education locally and statewide. He also represents CAFP at the national level through work with the American Academy of Family Physicians.
“All of us at MemorialCare congratulate Dr. Luther on being named 2016 Physician of the Year. To be selected is truly a great honor, and one that speaks to the medical excellence and high-quality, compassionate patient care that Dr. Luther brings to our profession. Additionally, his tireless advocacy to improve health care throughout California, especially in the area of childhood vaccinations, and his role as director of our own Long Beach Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program where he’s responsible for the training of the next generation of family physicians, are further testaments of his dedication to advancing the field of family medicine while improving the lives of the people of our community,” said Mark Schafer, MD, CEO of MemorialCare Medical Group. “On a personal note, I have known Jeffrey for many years. He is truly a remarkable person and physician. I applaud him on this well-deserved honor.”
Dr. Luther attended medical school at the University of California, Irvine and completed his residency training at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital and Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
CAFP’s Family Physician of the Year honor is awarded annually to a family physician who embodies the finest characteristics of physicians in the family medicine specialty and is involved in activities that enhance the quality of life in communities.