One of the Valdez’s own - Dr. Kathleen Todd - has been named the Family Physician of the year by the Alaska Academy of Family Physicians. And her colleagues in town couldn’t be too much prouder if they’d won earned the reward themselves.  

According to Dr. John Cullen, this award is presented to one physician a year, who demonstrates compassionate, comprehensive and caring family medicine, and is involved in community affairs and activities, and act as a role model both professionally and personally.

Cullen claims that this year was very competitive, but Dr. Todd had many letters of support after being nominated by her patients, the staff at the Valdez Medical Clinic, and the hospital. Dr. Todd has been caring for families in Valdez for 26 years now.  Her devotion to her patients and her community has been unparalleled.   Despite difficulties, including the loss of her husband, the oil spill, and many other trying times, Cullen wrote that she has “covered the emergency room no less than once every four nights and often every other night. She often has spent the night caring for those in need, then seeing her regularly scheduled patients the next day.  Her children spent many nights at the hospital when their parents were needed there.” 

Residents of Valdez attested to her skill and her devotion to their needs both in the clinic and during crisis.  Colleagues say she has maintained the highest levels of professional medical care and integrity throughout, calling her a source of inspiration, as well as a role model for residents and medical students. 

She delivers babies, performs ultrasound, mends broken bones … you name it. In addition to her commitment as a physician, she is active in the community, playing music for the Lutheran church services, coaching synchronized swimming, acts as a Girl Scout Leader, and most recently, she also serves on the Valdez school board.

The Alaskan Academy of Family Physicians is the largest Medical Specialty organization in Alaska. Family doctors take care of the physical, mental and emotional health of both their patients and their patients' families. They know the family's health history and how it can affect an individual. They are trained to care for people through all the stages of life and, if necessary, when to bring in another trustworthy specialist.

Having won the Alaska Family Physician of the Year, she has the option of being nominated for the American Family Physician of the Year.   She was presented with award at the President’s Reception for the AKAFP Scientific Congress on Saturday night, June 16 at the Valdez Civic Center.