McLeod Health is pleased to announce that Dr. Carol Adams and Dr. Gerard Jebaily have received Excellence in Family Medicine Education Awards by the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (SC AHEC). These McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program faculty members were recognized for demonstrating a caring attitude and respect for patients, residents and students; valuing human dignity; displaying a passion and joy for teaching, learning and working with others; and participating in community service activities.

Dr. Jebaily received the Halford Award, which is given annually to a distinguished South Carolina Family Medicine educator who serves as a model to residents in the humanistic care of patients.

Dr. Adams was honored with the South Carolina AHEC Excellence in Family Medicine Education Award. This distinction recognizes a non-physician teacher for excellence in resident education, including teaching, curriculum development, mentoring, research and leadership.

Dr. Jebaily, Program Director of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program, served as the Associate Director for 30 years before being named Program Director in 2013. “Dr. Jebaily is community-minded, volunteering regularly at the local free medical clinic in Florence,” according to Dr. William Hester, Assistant Dean for Medical Student Education for the University of South Carolina School of Medicine’s Florence Campus. “He likewise has encouraged residents to also volunteer their time to this clinic as a way of giving back to the community.

“Dr. Jebaily’s passion is family medicine and this is reflected in all that he does. He encourages residents to establish long-term relationships with patients, to advocate for their patients, and to truly care for and about their patients. It is not surprising that he has been named Faculty Member of the Year by graduating residents numerous times,” added Dr. Hester.

Dr. Adams has served as the Behavioral Science Coordinator for the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program for 17 years. She has taught residents the nuances of communication skills, the impact of life events and the family life cycle, and office counseling skills necessary for Family Physicians to employ throughout their careers.

“Dr. Adams has been a dedicated faculty member of our residency program,” said Chuck Kelly, Administrator of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program. “An invaluable resource to the faculty and residents, she has helped make the residency program stronger in a number of ways including teaching midday conferences, advising residents and serving on the resident evaluation committee. Her contributions have changed all of us for the better.”

Dr. Coy Irvin, Chief Medical Officer for McLeod Health, noted how unusual it is for both of these awards to be presented to faculty members from the same program. “I am proud of the recognition received by Dr. Jebaily and Dr. Adams,” said Dr. Irvin. “The education of our Family Medicine Residents has been enhanced by the skills and lessons they have learned under the guidance of Dr. Adams and Dr. Jebaily.”