ATLANTA – State Representative Terry England (R-Auburn), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, was recently named by the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians (GAFP) as its 2021 Family Medicine Legislative Champion of the Year for his legislative efforts to assist family physicians and patients across the state.
“It is an honor to receive this recognition from the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, but the real recognition belongs to the doctors and medical professionals who dedicate their careers to keeping Georgians safe and healthy,” said Chairman England. “Georgia’s medical workers have fought bravely to ensure a continuation of care against all sorts of diseases and illnesses, even with the pandemic threatening their own wellbeing. Their dedication has inspired me, and I am proud to help protect state funding for these frontline heroes.”
The GAFP recognized Chairman England for his efforts to successfully restore funding to the Georgia Memory Net program during the 2020 legislative session and at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Georgia Memory Net is a statewide program designed to expand access to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and it has proven beneficial to rural communities across Georgia. While the Georgia Memory Net faced cuts due to budget shortfalls brought on by the pandemic, Chairman England worked to protect the program’s funding.
“So much has been sacrificed because of COVID-19, and yet Chairman England’s actions in the House reminded his colleagues that forgetting those who need medical attention is a sacrifice too far,” said Dr. Thomas Fausett Jr., president of the Georgia Academy. “Thank you for restoring funds for support our patients and their caregivers.”
Established in 1947, the GAFP is a member chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians. GAFP strives to promote the health of the citizens of Georgia by advancing the specialty of family medicine through education, advocacy and service to family physicians in the state of Georgia. Boasting a membership of 3,200 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students, the organization supports those who aspire to achieve excellence and who are committed to delivering it. The academy also sponsors an anti-tobacco and vaping education program for school-aged children through their foundation, Georgia Healthy Family Alliance.
Chairman England accepted this award during a virtual ceremony on August 1.
For more information about the GAFP, please visit www.gafp.org.
Representative Terry England represents the citizens of District 116, which includes portions of Barrow County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2005 and currently serves as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He also serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Education, Industry and Labor, Natural Resources & Environment committees. He also serves as an Ex-Officio member on the Ways & Means Committee.
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