Dr. James P. Valek Is 2007 IAFP Family Physician Of The Year

October 4, 2007

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians celebrated its 60th year of caring for Illinois and honored some of its finest family physicians tonight. Family physicians from around the state gathered at the Art Institute of Chicago during the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Annual Scientific Assembly, the largest annual meeting of family physicians in the country held this week in Chicago.

This year’s family medicine honors included:

Family Physician of the Year – James P. Valek, MD of Evergreen Park
Family Medicine Full-time Teacher of the Year – Greg Kirschner, MD, MPH of Park Ridge
Family Medicine Part-time Teacher of the Year – Adam Bennett, MD of Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago
Media Award – Stephanie Sievers of Small Newspaper Group, Springfield Bureau
President’s Award (2) – Robert Boll, DO of Orland Park and the sponsoring legislators of the Smoke-Free Illinois bill: Sen. Terry Link (D-30, Waukegan ), Sen. John J. Cullerton (D-6, Chicago ) and Rep. Karen A. Yarbrough (D-7, Maywood ).

James P. Valek, MD

Dr. Valek’s interests are as varied as the specialty of family medicine. Since opening his solo practice, Vista Family Medicine, in 2002 he practices the full scope of family medicine with special interests in sports medicine and palliative care. His practice is a model of the modern medical practice with a fully functional patient-friendly web site. Dr. Valek is a faculty member at Advocate Christ Family Medicine Residency Program, UIC and Northwestern medical schools and has served as chairman of the board for St. Laurence High School in Burbank . When he was Director of Community Medicine at Christ’s residency program, he launched and coordinated a residency wide Tar Wars program to teach tobacco prevention to schools in their southwest suburban community.

“Going to see Dr. Valek is like seeing a long time family friend,” said patient Victoria Dudlo (Pictured above), who helped IAFP present the award. “He is someone you feel comfortable to be around and whose advice you trust.”

“It is hard to quantify, but I think we family physicians have great value,” says Dr. Valek. “We need to lead the system in improving outpatient care, documenting what works, reducing errors, and managing chronic care. At the same time, we need to stay focused on our relationships with patients.”

The Family Physician of the Year is chosen from candidates nominated directly by patients and colleagues, who send letters to IAFP describing their family physician. The Award is presented annually to an outstanding family physician that best illustrates the values and vision of the family doctor. He or she is a role model for the community and sets the standard for health care delivery.