Suzanne Wanlass VanDerwerken, M.D., FAAFP, chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill and director of its Family Medicine Residency program based in Woodbury, was recognized as the 2019 New Jersey Family Physician of the Year by the New Jersey Academy of Family Practice (NJAFP).

Along with this honor, VanDerwerken will become the NJAFP’s nominee for the 2020 National Family Physician of the Year, presented by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

NJAFP noted that this award is presented to one outstanding physician in the state “who best exemplifies the tradition of the family physician by providing the community with compassionate, comprehensive and caring medical service on a continuing basis. The recipient is directly and effectively involved in community affairs and activities that enhance the quality of life within their community, emulating the family physician as a healer and human being. In addition, the Family Physician of the Year is a role model for professionalism in the service and art of medicine to colleagues, other health professionals, the community and especially to young physicians in training and to medical students.”

Board-certified in Family Medicine since 1992, VanDerwerken successfully attained her board certifications for Adolescent Medicine in 2003 and for Obesity Medicine in 2018.

VanDerwerken received her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and graduated from the Underwood Memorial Family Practice Residency Program in 1992. She resides in Pittsgrove.