Collier County Medical Society (CCMS) is pleased to announce that Corey Howard, M.D. is the recipient of the 10^th Annual CCMS Physician of the Year Award. This award honors a CCMS member who deserves special recognition for exemplary contributions to the practice of medicine and/or outstanding service to our community. Members of the Medical Society submit nominations for the award to the CCMS board of directors, who this year selected Dr. Howard, as nominated by Dr. Catherine Kowal.

The award will be presented at the CCMS 67^th Annual Meeting & Installation of Officers on June 15^th, Arthrex One Conference Center. Interested attendees can register for the event at ccmsonline.org/events or (239) 435-7727. Sponsorships are also available, please contact CCMS for details. The event is open to the public.

Dr. Howard has served as Chair of the Florida Medical Association’s delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) for the past 14 years and works with state medical societies, specialty medical societies, young physicians, physicians in training, and medical students to craft national policies that guide the profession. He played a vital role in advocating for Medicare Payment reform to the AMA to become one of the organization’s top priorities after many years of coalition building and dedicated work. To date, this year’s planned Medicare cuts have been reduced by over half.

“I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award from CCMS. Throughout my career, I have been committed to supporting fellow physicians in navigating the intricacies of healthcare policy at both state and national levels,” said Dr. Howard. “I could not have done this without the support of CCMS throughout my career. I firmly believe that there is still much to be accomplished, particularly in addressing the shortcomings of the Medicare Payment system. The preservation and advancement of private medical practice are crucial for both our profession and the well-being of our patients. It is my sincere hope that our colleagues will join in advocating for the future of our profession.”

Dr. Howard embodies the essence of a dedicated physician leader, committed to excellence in patient care and advancing healthcare policy. With nearly three decades of experience as a practicing physician, including his recent role as a concierge physician, Dr. Howard has consistently championed patient welfare, medical innovation, and transformative healthcare initiatives.

His career has been marked by a relentless dedication to supporting physicians in their practice through active involvement in organized medicine's policymaking process. As the 142nd president of the Florida Medical Association (FMA), after serving six years as Speaker and Vice Speaker of the FMA, Dr. Howard's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the medical landscape, advocating for physicians' rights, and driving forward the profession.

Additionally, Dr. Howard's leadership extends beyond his role in the FMA. He has served as president of CCMS and chaired the resident physician section of the American Society of Internal Medicine nationally, further demonstrating his passion for enhancing physician well-being and shaping the future of healthcare.

Dr. Howard is the recipient of the highest honor from the American College of Physicians, Florida Chapter, the Service Award, the Gerold L. Schlebier MD Advocate for Medical Students Award from the FMA, and most recently received a Presidential Citation from the American Academy of Dermatology for his work on Medicare payment reform.

In addition to his medical expertise, Dr. Howard's diverse skill set and passions paint a multifaceted portrait of his personality. Board-certified in internal medicine and fellowship-trained in gastroenterology and liver diseases, he also holds certifications in anti-aging, functional, and regenerative medicine. His pursuits outside of medicine, including being a professionally trained plant-based cook, an accomplished author, an Ironman triathlete, and a talented musician who participated in the local physician talent show several times, exemplify his zest for life and boundless creativity.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Howard finds true joy with his beloved family—his wife Dr Cyndi Yag-Howard, an esteemed Vice President of the American Academy of Dermatology, and their three grown children, Aubrey, Bradley, and Benjamin. Together, they cherish moments of adventure and relaxation at their home in Park City, indulging in pursuits like mountain biking, skiing, golfing, and simply reveling in the beauty of life's simple pleasures.

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About Collier County Medical Society

Collier County Medical Society is an organization of physicians dedicated to serving the needs of our physician members, so they can better serve the needs of the community. CCMS was founded in 1957 and over the past 67 years has grown to over 700 physician members representing all specialties. Membership is voluntary and brings together physicians who have an interest in organized medicine and share the goals of maintaining high standards of clinical care in Collier County. CCMS is affiliated with Florida Medical Association and the American Medical Association. ccmsonline.org