2025 Philanthropist of the Year: Ada Stewart, MD, FAAFP

“I always think that you must be able to lift others up as you climb. And this is a way for me to lift others up as I climb,” said Ada Stewart, MD, FAAFP, on her commitment to service, mentorship and giving back.

Stewart’s contributions to her community, country and the specialty of family medicine have earned her the respect and admiration of patients, peers and countless young doctors and medical students. They’ve also earned her recognition by the AAFP Foundation as its 2025 Philanthropist of the Year.

Each year, the Foundation honors an individual who improves access to care and supports family medicine through financial giving, serving as a volunteer or leader, and encouraging philanthropy in others. Stewart has embodied that ethos by devoting her time, energy and resources to helping others and ensuring that members of marginalized and vulnerable communities are afforded equal opportunities for health, wellness and advancement.

Stewart’s involvement with the AAFP and its Foundation began when she was a student and received a scholarship to attend the National Conference (known today as FUTURE). The impact of that gift stayed with her. It inspired her to give consistently and generously to the Foundation and to mentor future family physicians through the Emerging Leaders Institute.

“Our specialty needs to represent the communities in which we’re serving. And how best to do that than to try to inspire the next generation,” she said.

After serving as the AAFP board liaison to the Foundation Board of Trustees (2017-2019), Stewart became the first Black woman to serve as president of the AAFP (2020-2021) and later as chair of the board (2021-2022). She currently chairs the AAFP Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in Family Medicine.

“Her vision and advocacy have helped shape policies and programs that promote representation, access and justice across the spectrum of family medicine,” said Kristina Laguerre, MD, MPH, physician trustee of the AAFP Board of Trustees.

Stewart’s career choices also reflect her values. She is a practicing family physician with Cooperative Health in Columbia, South Carolina, and a certified HIV specialist. She’s also a certified hospice medical director, as well as a medical officer and Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, a role she took on after 9/11 to serve her country.

“Her life is a testament to the power of giving financially, professionally and personally,” said Jay-Sheree Akambase, MD, president of the AAFP Foundation. “She shows up not because she has to, but because it is who she is.”

Laguerre added, “Dr. Stewart’s extraordinary service to both her local and national communities, steadfast commitment to equitable health care and unwavering philanthropic spirit exemplify the very essence of this award.”