Five physicians were recognized at the 2025 Florida Medical Association (FMA) Annual Meeting for their contributions to medicine and their communities.
Michael Patete, MD, an otolaryngologist from Venice, received the Award of Distinguished Service. Dr. Patete has practiced privately for over three decades and has held several leadership positions within organized medicine in Florida. He served as the FMA’s 144th President from 2020 to 2021 and is a past president of both the FMA PAC and the Sarasota County Medical Society.
Diana Twiggs, MD, a family medicine physician based in Fernandina Beach, was honored with the Harold S. Strasser, MD Good Samaritan Award. “Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Dr. Twiggs has traveled to Poland four times and into Ukraine three times, delivering humanitarian aid and transporting donated supplies. She also encourages others to support volunteer and fundraising efforts and frequently communicates with her congressman about funding,” according to the FMA. Dr. Twiggs works with Baptist Health Emergency Resources Group and is a past president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians.
The Gerald L. Schiebler, MD Advocate for Medical Students Award went to Joshua Lenchus, DO, an internal medicine physician from Fort Lauderdale. “Dr. Lenchus, who served as the FMA’s 146th President from 2022 to 2023, has consistently demonstrated a willingness to understand medical students’ unique concerns and struggles, making him an invaluable mentor and advocate.” He currently serves as Medical Director for Aetna’s Florida market in the southeast region.
Angeli Maun Akey, MD was also recognized at this year’s meeting for her work in integrative and holistic medicine in Gainesville. She founded North Florida Integrative Medicine as well as other medical organizations focused on preventive care. She co-edited “Fascia, Function, and Medical Applications,” which was nominated for a British Medical Association award in 2021.
Madeline Joseph, MD of Jacksonville was among those honored as well for her work in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine.
