2025 FMA Award Winners
Award of Distinguished Service
Michael Patete, MD, Otolaryngology – Venice
A private practice physician for more than 30 years, Dr. Patete is a tireless advocate for physicians and patients, and he has dedicated countless hours to organized medicine at the state and county level. In addition to serving as the FMA’s 144th President from 2020 to 2021, he is a Past President of the FMA PAC, the Sarasota County Medical Society (SCMS) and the SCMS PAC.
Harold S. Strasser, MD Good Samaritan Award
Diana Twiggs, MD, Family Medicine – Fernandina Beach
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. Dr. Twiggs, a family medicine physician with Baptist Health Emergency Resources Group, is a Past President of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians and was 2023 FAFP Family Physician of the Year.
Gerald L. Schiebler, MD Advocate for Medical Students Award
Joshua Lenchus, DO, Internal Medicine – 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. Currently the Medical Director for Aetna’s Florida market in the southeast region, Dr. Lenchus was Associate Program Director for Jackson Memorial Hospital’s internal medicine program in Miami from 2007 to 2016, and he is a Past President of the Florida Osteopathic Medicine Association.
Angeli Maun Akey, MD
Internal Medicine, Integrative and Holistic Medicine – Gainesville
Dr. Akey is the founding medical director of North Florida Integrative Medicine, founder of Ageless Medical Solutions and the Palm Beach Institute of Preventive Medicine, and co-founder of FIRRIMup™ Doctors. A sought-after speaker for medical conferences nationally and internationally, she is co-editor of the textbook "Fascia, Function, and Medical Applications,” which was nominated for a British Medical Association award in 2021.
Madeline Joseph, MD
Pediatrics, Pediatric Emergency Medicine – Jacksonville
Dr. Joseph is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics and Senior Associate Dean at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville. She founded the inaugural Women in Medicine and Science program at UF Health Science Center-Jacksonville and currently serves on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Board of Directors. Dr. Joseph is also a Past President of the Florida Chapter of the AAP and is deeply involved in child and adolescent health advocacy across the state.
April Donahue
Medical Society Executive
April Donahue is the Executive Director of the Collier County Medical Society, Managing Director of the Miami-Dade County Medical Association, and Managing Director of the Broward County Medical Association. Her work experience spans nearly 20 years in organized medicine leadership, including previous roles as Executive Director and Communications Director of the Hawaii Medical Association.
