Paul R. Young

1932 - 2016

YOUNG Paul R., MD, age 84, husband of Elizabeth "Betty" Young, died on Oct 29, 2016 at his home in Lexington. Born in Fairfield, NE on June 27, 1932, he was the son of the late Earl Edward Young and Louisa Saunders Young. Dr. Young graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1958, did his post graduate training at Research Hospital in Kansas City and served two years in the U.S. Air Force, as Chief Medical Officer for outpatient services at McCle-lland Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA. Following service to his country, he joined a group of physicians in Raytown, MO where he practiced family medicine for several years. In 1967, Dr. Young became the director of medical education at Research Hospital in Kansas City, MO, and was the Founding Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program at that hospital. From 1969 to 1988 Dr. Young was active in academia, accreditation, and residency programs. From 1971 to 1975, he served as an associate professor and chairman of the Department of Community Health and Medical Practice, University of Missouri-Columbia and as medical director of continuing medical education. From 1974 to 1977 he served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. From 1975 to 1980, he served as professor and chairman, Department of Family Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha where he was also chief of the medical staff. In 1977, Dr. Young served as the first President of the Association of Departments of Family Medicine and helped write the Articles of Incorporation for this organization. From 1975 through 1986, Dr. Young participated in several committees that oversaw and set standards for family medicine residency programs. He served as an AMA representative to the Residency Review Committee (RRC) for family practice from 1975 to 1980. He was appointed the representative of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) to the RRC from 1980 to 1986. He also served as a consultant to the Residency Assistance Program for the American Academy of Family Physicians. From 1985 to 1986, Dr. Young was Chairman of the Council of RRC ChairsACGME. Dr. Young served as professor and chairman, Department of Family Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX from 1980 to 1988. In 1985, Dr. Young became President of the American Board of Family Practice and in 1986 served as the founding editor of the Journal of the American Board of Family Practice (JABFP). In 1988, Dr. Young became the first Deputy Executive Director of the ABFP, serving in this position until Jan 1, 1990 when he became the Executive Director (ABFM). In 2008, Dr. Young received the University of Nebraska College of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award. During the 1990's, Dr. Young was instrumental in establishing the computer-based certification and re-certification of family medicine physicians. Through his leadership, the Board introduced new techniques to assess decision making capabilities as well as cognitive knowledge by using simulation technology. In his own words, Dr. Young reflected on his life's work "As I look back over my career, I think what I am proud of most is that I was able to devote my time to the improvement of the process of evaluation of physician's competence. In the future, I think we have to continue to find ways to focus on the improvement of the specialty. During the last 40 years, I think that's what many of us have done. I am proud to have been part of it. I believe eventually, somebody would have done this at some time. We just happened to be there first." In addition to his wife, Dr. Young is survived by his adult children: Michael (Barbara) Young, Susan (Paul) Loyd, Jean (John) Cleary, Jim (Michelle) Young, David (Carol) Whitaker, Paul (Patti) Whitaker, and Peggy (Cal) Smith; and granddaughters, Chrissy Ritchie, Amanda Loyd, Brenna Loyd, Millicent Young, Jodi Hanshaw, Lori Whitaker, Stacy Younger, Karyn Winter, Kimberly Dalton, and Christina Rule; grandsons, Justin Young, Benjamin Young; and 12 great grandchildren. Services will be at 2:30pm Fri, Nov 4, at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, Harrodsburg Rd. with visitation beginning at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent to: The Pisacano Scholars Leadership Foundation, c/o American Board of Family Medicine, 1648 McGrathiana Parkway, Suite 550, Lexington, KY 40511 or The Jack M. Colwill Academic Endowment Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212.