Source: American Board of Family Medicine
The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is pleased to announce the selection of Gary L. LeRoy, MD, FAAFP, as its new Senior Vice President for Diplomate Experience beginning Tuesday, November 1.
Dr. LeRoy’s primary initial focus as Senior Vice President will be to improve the Diplomate experience with Board certification; lead ABFM engagement efforts with both Diplomates and collaborating organizations; oversee strategy for communications and outreach efforts; and provide physician staff support for the professionalism aspects of board certification. Utilizing in-person, virtual, and digital approaches, Dr. LeRoy will build on aspects of ABFM’s Strategic Plan that focus on continually improving the value of Board certification and supporting Diplomates throughout their participation in initial and continuing certification. In doing so, he will be assuming major functions of the role served by ABFM Executive Vice President Libby Baxley, MD, upon her retirement in June 2023. In the meantime, Dr. LeRoy will be working closely with Dr. Baxley and other ABFM leaders and staff to learn the ins and outs of the Senior Vice President position and develop his own ideas for the role.
“I have always admired Dr. LeRoy, and I am very excited and proud to work with him in the years to come,” said Warren Newton, MD, MPH, president and CEO of the ABFM. “His work caring for patients, for medical students, and for the members of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) during the pandemic speaks for itself. We’re delighted to have him on board as we take ABFM into the future.”
Dr. LeRoy received his medical degree at Wright State University in his hometown of Dayton, OH. He then completed a residency at Dayton’s Miami Valley Hospital and a fellowship at Michigan State University in 1992.
He has shown love and loyalty to the city of Dayton in many ways since his career began. Dr. LeRoy served as medical director of the federally qualified East Dayton Health Center from 1992 to 2007. He then joined the faculty of Wright State University (WSU) Boonshoft School of Medicine where he served as associate dean of student affairs and admissions for 14 years (2008-22). Dr. LeRoy is also a past board chair of The Dayton Foundation, Public Health Dayton/Montgomery County, and Hospice of Dayton. In 2020, Dr. LeRoy adopted a formal leadership role in Dayton in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. He provided guidance to students of the Boonshoft School of Medicine, encouraging safety from the pandemic raging simultaneously and solidarity in the face of civil unrest. Dr. LeRoy has served as the chief medical consultant for Dayton Public School since 1997.
Dr. LeRoy has had significant national leadership experience as the president-elect, president, and board chair of the AAFP from 2018-21. He is an active member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) (past president), and the Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society (vice president).
Over the last 30 years, Dr. LeRoy has been recognized for his work through numerous awards at the state and national levels. These include the WSU Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, a Certificate of Recognition by the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate, the American Association of Medical Colleges Humanism in Medicine Award, the National Council of Community and Justice Humanism Award, the American Medical Student Association Golden Apple Teaching Excellence Award, and the Educator of the Year from the OAFP, and the Philanthropist of the Year award from the OAFP Foundation. He is also an award-winning book author – Quotes From The Edge of Nowhere (2020).
“I am thrilled and sincerely honored to have been selected as the ABFM’s Senior Vice President for Diplomate Experience,” Dr. LeRoy said. “My goal will be to bridge any real or perceived gaps in ABFM’s mission to fulfill our social responsibility of protecting the health of the public we serve, while effectively enhancing the continuous certification experience of ABFM Diplomates.”
The ABFM is honored that Dr. LeRoy accepted the position of Senior Vice President for Diplomate Experience, and it looks forward to working with him to ensure the engagement and support of family physicians for years to come.
Congratulations, Dr. LeRoy!
Congratulations to Dr. Gary LeRoy!
What a wonderful evolution in career for this outstanding family physician. Gary is a great example of what can happen if a person of integrity has the courage to say yes to challenging opportunities that present themselves, often at inconvenient times. I look forward to the changes that will be made at the ABFM with Gary’s input and leadership skills. I’m sure other OAFP members share my willingness to support and assist Gary in any way possible to help him effect meaningful change that strengthens our profession.
Way to go Gary!