Dr. Abraham was awarded the 2021 Hero of Family Medicine award at the 2021 All Member Advocacy Meeting (May 15, 2021)
Honestly, this year was an extremely tough competition because SO MANY OF YOU were out there on the frontlines, putting your lives at risk for your patients during very dark and difficult times. Do NOT discount the fact that you are all heroes, and your selfless work and dedication continues to save countless lives. If we could give you all an award, we would.
That said, the award goes to a CAFP member who is a passionate advocate for patients, colleagues, and the family medicine specialty. The winner of the 2021 California Academy of Family Physicians’ “Hero of Family Medicine Award” is Dr. Jerry Abraham.
Dr. Abraham is relentless in fighting for his patients and in promoting family medicine. He runs the Kedren Community Health Center in South Los Angeles, the population of which is heavily Black and Latinx. The County overlooked the Health Center in the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, but Dr. Abraham pounded on doors until he got their attention. His organization eliminated multiple barriers to getting vulnerable residents immunized, such as a lack of transportation, internet access, documentation, or insurance. The community health center also was able to reach people with physical disabilities and language-access issues. Soon, the Los Angeles County of Public Health, the Newsom Administration, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and others took note of the effective model being built at Kedren, where more than 15,000 vulnerable community members were being vaccinated each week. It became a model for the nation in how to equitably vaccinate Americans.
When not serving the community through direct patient care, Dr. Abraham is building relationships with legislators and advocating on CAFP’s top legislative priorities. Last year, he rallied Los Angeles area family physicians to ensure legislators knew how robust family physician training is compared to other health professionals.
This year, the rest of the world caught on to his advocacy in a big way.
Because of his advocacy efforts and his dedication to his patients, his community, and family medicine, we are proud to name Dr. Jerry Abraham our 2021 Hero of Family Medicine.
Thank you and congratulations, Dr. Abraham.
