Dr. Juana Nicoll Capizzano Recognized with Michigan Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award

Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, the state’s largest medical specialty association, honored Juana Nicoll Capizzano, MD with the 2023 Michigan Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award on Aug. 14.

Dr. Capizzano is an assistant professor within the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan, where she has been instrumental in crafting new point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) curriculum. POCUS is a major tool for quickly diagnosing and determining care pathways for patients.

After completing an advanced Emergency Medicine Ultrasonography Fellowship program at Michigan Medicine in June 2021, Dr. Capizzano went on to develop the POCUS curriculum for U-M family medicine resident physicians and family medicine Faculty.

“We are thrilled to honor Dr. Capizzano with this award. Her work of educating medical learners on point of care ultrasound has positioned family physicians to embrace this important technology, ultimately benefiting the patients we serve,” said Michigan Academy of Family Physicians President Beena Nagappala, MD, MPH.

In addition to curriculum development, Dr. Capizzano educates family medicine resident physicians, medical students, and fellows, providing strong mentorship, instruction, and support.

“Dr. Capizzano’s work is nothing short of spectacular. By sharing her vast knowledge and working with residents and medical students to meet patients where they are, no matter their background or other circumstances, Dr. Capizzano is helping to shape the family physicians of tomorrow,” said Dr. Nagappala.

Michigan Academy of Family Physicians’ annual Michigan Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award is given to an educator who has made an outstanding contribution to family medicine undergraduate, graduate, and/or continuing education in Michigan.

Family medicine is a primary care specialty practiced by family physicians. Family physicians are the quarterbacks of health, helping people stay healthy, manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, and avoid preventable hospitalizations.

Michigan Academy of Family Physicians advocates for family physicians; among its top priorities are preserving physician-led team-based care and increasing the state’s primary care workforce. Both are critical for Michigan residents to be able to access healthcare services when and where they need them.