Dr. John McCarthy

BELLEVUE – The Washington Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP) has named Spokane physician, John McCarthy, MD as Family Physician of the Year for 2012 and welcomes him as Washington Academy of Family Physicians Foundation President.

The prestigious award is given annually by WAFP to a family physician who exemplifies a compassionate commitment to improving the health and well being of people and communities throughout Washington.

According to the WAFP, Dr. McCarthy has been described as “a doctor’s doctor” who demonstrates a remarkable blend of clinical excellence, community service, and professional leadership. He has also been described as “the quintessential teacher of family medicine,” as he clearly relishes his role as a teacher, in particular introducing students to the challenges and rewards of being a rural practice doctor. Indeed generations of UW medical students chose family medicine and entered a rural practice as a direct result of working with him.

Dr. McCarthy grew up in Tacoma. He received his BS in Biology at Santa Clara, and later received his MA in Counseling from Gonzaga in 1985, followed by counseling

work in Alaska. He completed his MD at the UW School Of Medicine in 1990, followed by residency at Tacoma Family Medicine, a program focused on care for rural and underserved patients. For the next 14 years he practiced full spectrum rural family medicine with a small group in Tonasket and provided service to outreach clinics in Oroville as well.

“Loved by both communities, he was known by his patients as the one who delivered their babies, treated their work injuries, performed preventative exams, (and with a subspecialist), journeyed with them through serious illness. He is effective because he listens to other people, cares about their needs, and is driven by a constant concern to improve care, health, and medical education,” write the WAFP in a recent news release.

Dr. McCarthy received the award at the WAFP’s annual meeting on May 11, 2012 in Cle Elum. With over 3000 members the WAFP is the largest medical specialty professional organization in Washington.