Beebe’s Joyce Robert to lead academy of family physicians

Beebe Healthcare recently announced Joyce Robert, MD, FAAFP, a valued medical staff member and founding program director for Beebe’s family medicine residency program, has been named president of the Delaware Academy of Family Physicians.

Robert is transitioning into this leadership role after serving for the past year as DAFP president-elect.

DAFP is committed to promoting excellence in healthcare and the betterment of health services across the state of Delaware. It unites physicians from across the state for collaborative conversations about how to address diverse healthcare challenges and puts the spotlight on those who are contributing to advancements in medicine.

Being part of DAFP’s leadership team has given Robert a unique opportunity to showcase the progressive growth Beebe has experienced since the 2023 launch of its family medicine residency, which is part of the R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education. She has played an instrumental role in planning, research, curriculum development, scholarly activities planning, faculty recruitment, and resident onboarding and training.

“I am incredibly honored to represent Beebe as president of the Delaware Academy of Family Physicians and am looking forward to working collaboratively with many of my colleagues from across the state of Delaware who are equally committed to healthcare advancement and improvement,” said Robert. “As physicians, we are doing our part to assure those who live in Delaware have access to high-quality, comprehensive, cost-efficient healthcare. We are also working to address the physician shortage in Delaware, and plan to engage more medical students and resident physicians with state-level advocacy and mentorship.”

Robert’s induction into her new role took place during DAFP’s Annual Scientific Assembly, held at the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Healthcare in mid-May. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer participated in the event as a speaker, offering perspective about the importance of family medicine physicians across the state. Other important speakers included Dr. Marilyn Heine from the American Medical Association, Dr. Kayur Patel, a respected emergency medicine physician, and Dr. David Tam, Beebe Healthcare president and CEO, all of whom offered remarks in alignment with the event’s theme of Technology in Medicine.

Beebe faculty members Jeffrey Hawtof, MD, and Ryan Arias, DO, also offered a simulation workshop, creating a hands-on learning opportunity for medical students and resident physicians. Harrison Eckert, DO, and Sofia Perez Delgado, DO, both part of Beebe’s inaugural class of family physician residents, were inducted as resident physician members on the DAFP board.