Anna Dalrymple, MD, FAAFP is making a significant impact on family practice medicine and rural health in Nebraska through her passion and leadership. 

In March, Dr. Dalrymple was honored with the prestigious Theodore H. Koefoot, Jr., MD  2024 Outstanding Preceptor in Rural Family Medicine award. Additionally, she assumed the office of president for the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians (NAFP). In May, she completed the year-long Rural Physician Leadership Academy (RPLA) through the University of Nebraska College of Business Administration. Her active engagement with these organizations and programs inspires and equips others to serve in rural settings effectively. 

The Koefoot award is granted to a rural Nebraska family physician who provides outstanding teaching and mentoring of medical students during their family medicine rural preceptorship and serves as an outstanding community physician. Established in 2005 in memory of Dr. Theodore Koefoot, this award highlights Dr. Dalrymple’s contributions as a rural family physician for nine years, particularly her dedication to mentoring students over the past several years. 

According to Dr. Dalrymple receiving the Outstanding Preceptor award, which is a student-nominated award, was very meaningful to her. Reflecting on her own experience, she said, “When I was a 3rd year medical student, I saved my Family Medicine rotation until last because it interested me the least. I worked with Dr. Matt Byrd in Ogallala, and it changed everything for me. Dr. Byrd was the recipient of the Outstanding Preceptor award that year. I couldn’t believe the honor of receiving the very same award for my work with students.” 

Dr.  Dalrymple works with third-year University of Nebraska Medical Center students during their eight-week clerkship rotation in Family Medicine. The students actively participate in patient care, mirroring Dr. Dalrymple’s activities. “The goal is to have the student see the patient first, formulate and present a plan to me, and then follow-up with the patient together,” she explained. “I love teaching. Having students is a privilege, and they teach me many things in the process,” she said. 

Completing the Leadership Academy has also profoundly impacted Dr. Dalrymple. Her interest in the program stemmed from its focus on rural physicians. “When you work in a rural setting, you are called upon to do other roles and be on various committees. I am grateful for the opportunity to hone my leadership skills, which will be helpful in my new role as the president of NAFP,” Dalrymple said. 

The Heartland Health Alliance (HHA) works in partnership with the UNL College of Business Administration to provide the 9-month RPLA program to equip rural physicians with essential leadership skills to address the unique challenges of practicing healthcare in rural settings.

The NAFP aims to promote, support, and serve the family physician members as they strive to improve health for all Nebraskans, according to their website. With more than 1,300 members, the NAFP represents Nebraska’s family physicians and promotes “ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused integrated care.” 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dalrymple, call 308-537-3661.