Tsveti Markova, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., doesn't have a military background, but the United States Army has now decorated her with an award for exemplary service throughout her career.
In front of her husband and colleagues in the Mazurek Medical Education Commons earlier this month, the U.S. Army 3rd Medical Recruiting Battalion presented Dr. Markova with its Honorary Spartan Award in recognition of her commitment to medical education and her winning of the prestigious Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
"It's very rare that I'm speechless," Dr. Markova, associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences and associate dean for Graduate Medical Education/Designated Institutional Official for sole sponsored programs, said. "This is a great honor and I truly appreciate it."
Dr. Markova received a medal and a certificate of appreciation reading, "Your selection for this award demonstrates your ability to find innovative ways to teach residents and to provide quality health care while remaining connected to the initial impulse to care for others in this environment."
Capt. Clarence Keel, the Army recruiting representative for the School of Medicine, said the military produces 15 percent of its own physicians and relies upon medical schools for the rest.
"It takes a country to prepare Army doctors," Keel said. "Dr. Markova is a tremendous leader as evidenced by what she's done with Department of Family Medicine and implementation of the Patient Centered Medical Home."
The Patient Centered Medical Home is a health care model that facilitates partnerships between patients and their physicians, and when appropriate, the patient's family. Care is facilitated by registries, information technology, health information exchange and other means to assure that patients get the indicated care when and where they need it in a culturally appropriate manner.
The Army Medical Department is beginning to implement the Patient Centered Medical Home and is looking to experts, including Dr. Markova, for guidance. The Army recently opened its first medical home clinic at Fort Campbell in Kentucky to care for Army families close to where they live. It's believed this will help improve the health of injured soldiers and expedite their recovery and return to active duty status.
"A lot of medical students who go into the Army go into family medicine realizing that it is the primary care base for the future of health care," Dr. Markova said. "They need a comprehensive understanding of health care and to be familiar with patient centeredness. Prevention and wellness is the key."
Dr. Markova has been invited for an all expenses paid trip to San Antonio, Texas, to visit the Army's Department of Family Medicine.
Among those on hand for the award presentation was Lt. Donald Chaffee, a fourth-year medical student, who will perform a family medicine residency at DeWitt Army Medical Hospital in Virginia.
Chaffee said the Army's Health Professions Scholarship paid his medical school bills, plus a stipend.
"There's a lot of military service in my family and I really wanted to do a tour of service," Chaffee said. "It helps that they pay for medical school, which was a big help."