Physician Colleen T. Fogarty, chairwoman of Highland Hospital and University of Rochester School of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine, has been selected to receive the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM) Catalyst Award.
Fogarty is being recognized for her significant contributions to both the department and to the field of academic family medicine and for demonstrating significant and sustained scientific and professional accomplishments, volunteer leadership and academic service in family medicine. The award will be presented at the 2027 ADFM Annual Conference in Salt Lake City in February 2027.
“Throughout my more than three decades practicing family medicine, training and mentoring the next generation of family physicians and other primary care clinicians have been at the forefront of my work,” said Fogarty. “I am deeply honored that my contributions to the field of academic family medicine are being recognized with this esteemed award.”
As part of the Catalyst Award-nomination process, nominators provide evidence of the nominee’s accomplishments, which can include contributions such as publication in the peer-reviewed medical literature, service as a leader locally and in one or more state/national/international family medicine organizations, generation of educational strategies, tools, curricula that are utilized widely within the specialty, or generation of clinical care innovations that are utilized widely within the specialty.
Previously recognized for her expertise in writing stories and using them as a reflective teaching tool, Fogarty’s publications have included both empirical and creative work.
She has practiced family medicine for more than 30 years in rural and urban community health centers, and she has taught medical students, residents, and peers.
Fogarty earned her medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and trained as a resident and served as chief resident in family medicine at Highland Hospital-University of Rochester, then completed additional training in the marriage and family therapy training program at the University of Rochester.