History
In 2009, led by FMA Past President Karl M. Altenburger, MD, the FMA Foundation (now the FMA Foundation for Healthy Floridians) applied for and received a grant from the Physicians Foundation to create an emerging leader program for young physicians. The FMA Physician Leadership Academy was launched the following year as the centerpiece of “Leadership 2015,” a project to identify and train 50 emerging physician leaders by 2015. Since that time, 145 physicians representing a diverse range of specialties and practice environments have graduated from the program. The Academy has also diversified FMA leadership by creating a path for young physician members to serve on the Board of Governors, as well as key councils and committees.
After Dr. Altenburger passed away in 2014, the Academy was renamed for him in recognition of his extraordinary physician mentorship and passion for getting young doctors involved in the FMA. His legacy lives on in the program that bears his name and continues to nurture a new generation of physician leaders.