Each year, the Department of Family and Community Medicine presents the G. Gayle Stephens, M.D. Award to a graduating medical student pursuing family medicine. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated leadership, professionalism, academic performance, and interpersonal skills. Brandon Honeywell, M.D., was presented with the award during a virtual ceremony on May 20, 2021.

This award honors G. Gayle Stephens, M.D. and his contributions to family medicine throughout his career. Stephens served as the first dean of the School of Primary Medical Care in Huntsville, Alabama, and was a chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UAB. Beyond his clinical achievements, Stephens also founded one of the first family medicine residencies in Wichita, Kansas in 1969. After his retirement, Stephens was named a professor emeritus of family and community medicine at UAB in 1988.

While a medical student, Honeywell served as a co-head coordinator for the Internal Medicine Interest Group, was a member of the Argus Society, and volunteered at the COVID-19 Contact and Recovery Tracing site at UAB Hospital. Honeywell also worked as a peer mentor for medical students, a clinical skills teaching associate, and completed several scholarly research projects with UAB School of Medicine faculty. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians.

“Brandon built great rapport with patients and staff, and showed excellent medical knowledge and skill during his time in medical school,” said B. Earl Salser, M.D., director of medical student education and associate professor for the department. “He will make an outstanding future family physician.”

When asked about his future as a family medicine physician, Honeywell remarked on the impact the specialty has had on his life.

“Family medicine has been a part of my life since as early as I can remember as my father is a family physician,” said Honeywell. “I chose to pursue family for two reasons: the long-term patient relationships and the broad scope of practice available to practitioners. This is a very rewarding field.”

Honeywell will complete a family medicine residency at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center beginning this year. The department would like to congratulate Honeywell on this achievemen