On August 17, 2024, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) presented the prestigious Torchlight Leadership Award to Mike Sevilla, MD, FAAFP, during its Family Medicine Celebration at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio.
Presented at the discretion of the OAFP Board of Directors, this award honors an Academy leader who best champions the mission and vision of the OAFP: to improve the health of patients by advocating for and advancing the specialty of Family Medicine and providing valuable solutions to the diverse needs of members.
The OAFP Board of Directors selected Dr. Sevilla for this recognition in response to his steadfast involvement and leadership while directing the OAFP’s 2023-26 Strategic Plan, his re-imaging of the OAFP’s annual membership meeting, and for being a true advocate for Family Medicine at the state and national levels through his vast social media presence and expertise, as well as his network of personal and professional relationships.
“I’m honored and humbled by this recognition. As a Family Physician, all I have ever wanted to do is to promote health and wellness to my patients and to my community, while helping my patients navigate our challenging healthcare system,” shared Dr. Sevilla. “In addition, the OAFP has taught me how I can be the best advocate for my patients and for my community.”
Dr. Sevilla has served the OAFP in numerous leadership positions on the Board of Directors, including President from 2020-21, guiding the Academy through the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and hosting the virtual Bite-Sized Learning series. He holds many OAFP committee appointments including being a member of the Meaningful Engagement Experiences Workgroup & Family Medicine Celebration, the CME & Performance Improvement Resource Team, the Family Medicine Workshop Workgroup, and the Communications Resource Team.
He has lead on a national level for the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) throughout his career, but most recently served as a member of the AAFP Nominating Committee, and previously served as Chair for both the AAFP Commission on Membership and Member Services, as well as the Credentials Committee for the AAFP Congress of Delegates.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Sevilla has served his community of Salem, Ohio, presently practicing at Salem Family Care, LLC. and previously at the Family Practice Center of Salem. He is also on the medical staff of the Salem Regional Medical Center, where is is Chair for both the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and the Utilization Management & Medical Records Committee. He holds the appointment of Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED).
Dr. Sevilla is well known for his media presence, both online and via social media platforms and on local news broadcasts. On X, formerly known as Twitter, Dr. Sevilla has more than 26,000 followers and regularly contributes to health related articles by the AAFP. You can view Dr. Sevilla’s interviews and media exposure at DrMikeSevilla.com, including his TED talk at TEDxYoungstown, “Media Professionals and Social Media,” from 2015, which has over 14,000 views.
Dr. Sevilla earned his medical degree from NEOMED and completed his Family Medicine residency at the Barberton Citizens Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program in Barberton, Ohio, and holds his Board Certification from the American Board of Family Medicine.
The above press release is from the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, a statewide professional association with more than 5,000 members including practicing physicians, Family Medicine residents, and medical students. The scope of Family Medicine encompasses all ages, both sexes, and every disease entity. Family Physicians provide comprehensive, continuing care to all members of the family. For more information about OAFP, please visit www.OhioAFP.org.
