Announcing the 2025 Idaho Family Physician of the Year—Dr. Caitlin Gustafson, McCall
The IAFP Board of Directors is excited to announce the selection of Dr. Caitlin Gustafson as Idaho’s 2025 Family Physician of the Year. Dr. Gustafson practices full-spectrum, family medicine at St. Luke’s in McCall. Dr. Gustafson is also fellowship trained in OB. Dr. Gus, as she’s affectionately called by her community, is an exceptional clinician and leads her team in delivering high quality care in this highly rural setting. She also teaches and precepts residents and medical students who rotate in McCall. Dr. Gustafson has been nominated for the Family Physician of the Year for the past five-years, and we are deeply excited to honor her this year after her tireless work as a family doctor in Idaho for over 20 years. She is only the third woman to receive this award from the IAFP, and we expect this award to continue to acknowledge our diverse membership in years to come.
Dr. Gustafson was nominated this year by Dr. Abby Davids who shared:
“Dr. Gustafson makes me proud to be a family physician and inspires me every single day. She’s an incredible physician. As a broad-spectrum family doc there is no issue she cannot handle and no clinical space she doesn’t thrive in. In the clinic, the inpatient wards, the ER, the labor deck, and even the OR- Caitlin is a powerhouse. She’s extremely knowledgeable and skilled and compassionate and kind. She is the physician we all strive to be, and the person we all wish our family members had access to in times of crisis.”
Congratulations to Dr. Gustafson!
IAFP Advocacy Award Recipient—Dr. Julie Lyons, Hailey
This years’ Advocacy Award recipient is Dr. Julie Lyons of Hailey! Dr. Julie Lyons career has been characterized by a steadfast commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community she serves and putting the well-being of her patients first. In addition to her current work to secure health exceptions for pregnant women, Dr. Lyons has demonstrated exemplary leadership by developing initiatives to support underserved patients in her community.
Dr. Lyons was nominated for the Advocate of the Year Award by Dr. Angie Devitt, who shared:
“Dr. Lyons became the only Family Physician named in the lawsuit against the State of Idaho to clarify abortion restrictions for women with fatal fetal diagnoses and maternal health conditions. She chose to join this suit after being forced to support several patients in the remote and rural area where she practices to receive care for complications because of these laws. Her bravery and commitment are exemplary. She has faced community backlash and a hostile environment, and she continues to lean in to protect her patients and Idaho communities.”
Congratulations to Dr. Lyons!
Please join the IAFP in congratulating these exceptional Family Physicians for their leadership!
Dr. Gustafson and Dr. Lyons will officially be honored at the IAFP 2025 Annual Conference at the Shore Lodge in McCall, ID during the Awards Luncheon on Saturday, May 17, 2025.