The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians selected Dr. Julie Mayers Benson of Staples as the 2017 Family Physician of the Year.
This award is presented annually to a family physician who represents the highest ideals of the specialty of family medicine, including caring, comprehensive medical service, community involvement and service as a role model, a news release stated. The award has been given annually since 1981.
Benson practices at Lakewood Health System in Staples and is recognized statewide as an expert in palliative care, an emerging specialty focused on improving life and providing comfort to people of all ages with serious, chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
"Julie is the most compassionate physician I have ever known," commented colleague, Dr. Christine Albrecht, in the release. "She has started our palliative care/hospice program and made it one of the best in the country for a rural hospital system."
Patients describe Benson's care as top-notch, heartfelt and "above and beyond."
ADVERTISEMENT
"She is always so genuine with her patients," wrote colleague Molly Mertens in the release. "I see her interact with her hospice patients on one side of the floor, and then celebrate new life with labor and delivery on the other side. She is truly passionate about her patients-from the very beginning of life to the very end."
Benson and her husband Steve have two children, Katie and Jack. They enjoy raising chickens on their Staples farm as well as spending time together outdoors.
Thirty-one family physicians from across the state were nominated for the Family Physician of the Year award by patients, community members and colleagues. The MAFP Board of Directors chose Benson as the winner after reviewing nomination letters and credentials.
The award will be formally presented to Dr. Benson at the MAFP "MVP Celebration" on April 20 at The Depot Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians is a professional association of about 3,100 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students established to assist family physicians in providing quality medical care in Minnesota. The MAFP is the largest medical specialty organization in Minnesota and is a state chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians, one of the largest national medical organizations in the United States, with 124,900 members.
