Walter J. "Jack" Stelmach, MD

Dr. W. Jack Stelmach, 86, passed away July 22, 2012. Dr. Stelmach was a native of Kansas City, Kansas and held significant leadership positions within the Academy during his career. A 1953 graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Dr. Stelmach practiced Family Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri, for 20 years. From 1974 until 1994, he also led the Goppert Family Care Center as director of the Family Practice Residency Program based at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Kansas City.

Within the Academy, Dr. Stelmach has served in a variety of positions, including stints as president of the Kansas City Academy of Family Physicians (1965-1966), President of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians (1973-1974), Chairman of the AAFP Commission on Education (1974-1976), Member and later Chairman of the AAFP Board of Directors (1974-1977), and President of the AAFP (1978-1979). He also served as President of the Family Health Foundation of America (now the AAFP Foundation) (1980-1986), and American Board of Family Practice (now the ABFM) (1983-1984).

The Stelmach Collection held in the Center for the History of Family Medicine consists of 17 volumes relating to Dr. Stelmach's career and service in Family Medicine, and includes photographs, letters and other material, all arranged chronologically.

Dr. Stelmach was also featured in the AAFP Foundation 50th Anniversary video in 2008.  He epitomized the family physician leader and will long be remembered for his positive impact on family medicine and the communities in which he served.