LAFP 2006 <strong>Family</strong> Physician <strong>of</strong> the YearRichard Roy Michel,MD, Named <strong>Family</strong>Physician <strong>of</strong> the Yearby the <strong>Louisiana</strong><strong>Academy</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Family</strong><strong>Physicians</strong>Dr. Wayne Gravois presenting <strong>Louisiana</strong> <strong>Family</strong> Physician <strong>of</strong> theYear 2006 Award to Dr. Richard Michel.Richard Roy Michel, MD, was honored as the <strong>Louisiana</strong> <strong>Academy</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>Physicians</strong>’ (LAFP) 2006 <strong>Family</strong>Physician <strong>of</strong> the Year at the 2006 Awards and Installation Ceremony in Destin, Florida, July 6, 2006. Dr. Michelis a charter member and was also recognized for 45 years <strong>of</strong> membership in both the <strong>Louisiana</strong> <strong>Academy</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Family</strong> <strong>Physicians</strong> and American <strong>Academy</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>Physicians</strong>. He earned the degree <strong>of</strong> fellow from theAmerican <strong>Academy</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>Physicians</strong> in 1974.Dr. Michel is married to Margaret Bennett Michel. They have twodaughters, Suzanne Alford and Donna Lemoine. They have threegrandchildren, two girls and one boy.Dr. Richard Roy Michel was born on May 27, 1932. In 1950, he graduatedas valedictorian from Marksville High School. He graduatedfrom LSU Medical School, New Orleans, <strong>Louisiana</strong>, in 1957 with anMD degree. He then interned at <strong>Doctor</strong>’s Hospital in Shreveport andwas in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1960. He served there as head<strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> Obstetrics and Gynecology and assistant hospitaladministrator. He was discharged from active duty in August 1960,and remained on inactive status for approximately 10 years. He was acaptain in the U.S. Air Force, after which he returned to his hometown<strong>of</strong> Marksville, <strong>Louisiana</strong>, beginning practice with the AbramsonGroup in 1960. The group, consisting <strong>of</strong> Albert Abramson, S.R.Abramson, David Friefeld, E. J. Kalifey and Richard Michel, ownedthe Marksville Hospital. In 1968, the hospital was sold, and Dr.Michel went into solo practice in Marksville. He did obstetrics, gynecologyand surgery along with his <strong>of</strong>fice practice. In 1976, he stoppedperforming obstetrics, and in 1983 he stopped performing surgery. Hethen started a family practice that is still operational today.Dr. Michel is a member <strong>of</strong> the Southern Medical Association and amember <strong>of</strong> the Avoyelles Council on Aging, <strong>of</strong> which he was presidentin 1992. He is a 4th Degree Knight <strong>of</strong> Columbus, member <strong>of</strong> theMarksville Lion’s Club, and charter member <strong>of</strong> the Marksville Jr. Heis a member <strong>of</strong> the Avoyelles Mayor’s Association, serving as presidentfor two years in the 1990s. He was elected Avoyellean <strong>of</strong> the year in1992. He was first chief <strong>of</strong> staff <strong>of</strong> the Avoyelles Hospital in 1978,again serving as chief <strong>of</strong> staff in 1982. He received a Certificate <strong>of</strong>Merit from the Knights <strong>of</strong> Columbus in 1988. He is a member <strong>of</strong> theBoard <strong>of</strong> Trustees <strong>of</strong> the Marksville General Hospital from 1975 to1975, and 1986 to 1987. He was also a member <strong>of</strong> the RapidesHealthcare System Governing Board from March 1998 to February2004. He is a member <strong>of</strong> the 1979 court for the city <strong>of</strong> Marksville. In1978, he was elected mayor <strong>of</strong> Marksville, serving 16 years, and thenwas elected again in 1998. He is still mayor <strong>of</strong> the city <strong>of</strong> Marksville;when this term is finished, Dr. Michel will have served a total <strong>of</strong> 28years as mayor. He has never been defeated in an election. When hebecame mayor, the city <strong>of</strong> Marksville was a bankrupt town. He wasinstrumental in the continuing growth <strong>of</strong> the city <strong>of</strong> Marksville, bringingthe little town to the size <strong>of</strong> a city and bringing it from bankruptcyinto the black, and Marksville has continued to be financially sound.14
Upcoming Eventsin 2007!11th Annual Winter Conference“The Great Mardi Gras Escape”February 17-20, 2007Copper Mountain Resort Conference CenterCopper Mountain, Coloradowww.coppercolorado.comCall (866) 837-2996 and reference group number 3FY71W before 1/17/2007.Registration materials — for physicians and exhibitors — are now availableonline at www.lafp.org.2007 Summer Meeting60th Annual Assembly & ExhibitionMark your calendar and plan to be in New OrleansJune 21-24, 2007, at the historic Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter.15
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