New York State Academy of Family Physicians
STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
May 15, 2025
Contact: Vito Grasso, Executive Vice President at 518-469-5237/ vito@nysafp.org
Central New York Family Physician Awarded NYS Academy of Family Physicians’ 2025 Advocacy Ambassador Award
The New York State Academy of Family Physicians (NYSAFP) announced today the winner of an award for excellence in advocacy in New York. The NYSAFP’s Advocacy Ambassador Award recognizes Phil Kaplan, MD, Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) and Past President of NYSAFP for his leadership in NYSAFP’s advocacy work and tireless commitment to advancing NYSAFP priorities on behalf of our members and patients.
Dr. Kaplan has served multiple terms as Advocacy Chair, now serving as a Special Advisor and mentor to the Commission, and also Chairs the NYSAFP Vaccine Subcommittee to the Advocacy Commission. He has contributed greatly to the Academy’s success in advocacy during his tenure in service of family medicine and all New Yorkers, helping NYSAFP enact strong policies, secure budget funding and prevent regressive laws.
The Academy owes him tremendous gratitude for his dedication and tireless efforts and are so pleased to honor him with the first-ever Advocacy Ambassador Award this year during NYSAFP’s Congress of Delegates in Albany on May 17th.
NYSAFP represents nearly 6,000 family physicians, residents and students across the State. NYSAFP Family Physicians are board-certified and specialize in family medicine. Family physicians focus on the whole patient providing care throughout their lifetime. They provide comprehensive healthcare services to treat diseases and injuries in all age groups from newborns to the geriatric population and across all medical fields. Family Physicians focus on prevention, wellness and overall care coordination for patients and family medicine is the only specialty to focus on the care of the entire family unit. Family Physicians are also a main source of primary health care in New York and across the country.