Michael McIlwain, DMD, was posthumously honored with the Frederick A. Reddy Memorial Award for his profound commitment to children’s health and service to the community. Drs. Scott Anderson and Michael Yarnoz presented the award to his sister, Dr. Laura Cruse.

Dr. McIlwain, affectionately known as "Mike," earned his dental and pediatric dentistry degrees from the University of Florida. A Diplomate and Fellow of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, he was known for his exceptional skill and compassionate care. He joined the family practice, McIlwain Dentistry, founded by his uncle, Dr. James McIlwain, where he helped expand it into a multispecialty practice, all while preserving a warm, family-centered environment.

Beyond the office, Mike gave generously of his time to the Tampa Bay Cleft and Craniofacial Center and was an active member of several professional organizations. His passion for soccer never faded—he coached with Tampa Bay United for over a decade, including 12 years with his son Grayson’s team, always ready to support youth players and local teams.

Mike is remembered as a gifted dentist, a dedicated mentor, and a unifying presence in every circle he touched. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he impacted with kindness, skill, and a joyful spirit of service.

Dr. Charles Lockwood is a distinguished physician-leader who earned his undergraduate degree from Brown University, his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s in Healthcare Management from Harvard. He completed his OB/GYN residency at Pennsylvania Hospital and a fellowship at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Before coming to Florida, Dr. Lockwood served as Vice President and Dean at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Since 2014, he has held multiple leadership roles at USF, including Executive Vice President of USF Health, Dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, and Chief Academic Officer at Tampa General Hospital. Under his leadership, USF Health has seen major growth and become one of the nation’s fastest-rising institutions in medical research and patient care.

Dr. Lockwood is a dedicated member of the HCMA Executive Council and has played a key role in strengthening the USF-HCMA partnership. He helped reinstate USF faculty memberships and continues to support physician unity and medical education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led vital educational forums for HCMA members and remains a strong advocate for organized medicine at the local level.

In 2019, he received the HCMA’s Frederick A. Reddy Memorial Award for his commitment to medicine, community service, and social justice.  

We thank Dr. Lockwood for his fortitude and dedication to the HCMA. 

Madison Tyle has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to healthcare, education, and public service. As a Doctoring 1 Preceptor, she mentored first-year medical students, while her role as a Health Systems Engineering Student Leader focuses on optimizing healthcare systems. She has advocated for curriculum improvements as a Course/Clerkship Liaison and led surgical outcomes research to enhance patient safety. Madison's civic engagement includes promoting voter registration through Vot-ER and organizing educational initiatives in surgical interest groups.

She has also supported student learning as an undergraduate assistant and coordinated community service projects through AMSA and FSU athletics. Her dedication to public health is reflected in research on childhood trauma, maternal health, and healthcare disparities. With a future in OB/GYN, Madison aims to improve trauma-informed care, advocate for survivors of intimate partner violence, and influence policies for equitable healthcare. 

Dr. Bruce Shephard, Foundation President, presented her with the scholarship. Congratulations, Madison!

At the HCMA Membership Dinner on February 11, 2025, USF medical student William West received the HCMA/Rivero, Gordimer and Co. Medical Student Scholarship.

West has held key leadership roles in medical and academic organizations. He co-founded Athletes in Medicine to mentor Tampa Bay undergraduate student-athletes. As Alumni Chair of the Morsani Student Council, he strengthened student-alumni connections, while also serving as Intramural Sports Chair and leading medical student sports teams.

He led the Surgery Interest Group, coordinated student orientation and social events as Collegia Program President, and expanded the Plastic Surgery Interest Group’s offerings. Additionally, he contributed to the Medical Spanish Club and gained teaching experience as a General Chemistry TA and STEM mentor.

West has co-authored 70 presentations and 18 peer-reviewed manuscripts, primarily on surgical outcomes.

Stephen Douglas, CPA, presented him with the scholarship. Congratulations, William!

Dr. Patricia Emmanuel is a distinguished member of the Tampa Bay medical community, whose extensive career in pediatrics, infectious disease, and public health embodies the very qualities that this award seeks to honor. Dr. Emmanuel serves as the Lewis A. Barness Endowed Chair and Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the USF Morsani College of Medicine.

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to community service, social justice, and the mentorship of young people. Her work has significantly impacted the Tampa Bay community, particularly in her leadership roles in addressing pediatric HIV, her efforts in public health, and her dedication to mentoring the next generation of medical professionals. One specific example of Dr. Emmanuel’s altruism is her leadership in the establishment and development of the Ybor Youth Clinic, a community-based collaborative clinic that provides sexual health services to at-risk youth. This clinic not only offers critical medical services but also serves as a safe and supportive environment for young people who often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. Dr. Emmanuel’s vision and dedication have made this clinic a vital resource in the community, improving health outcomes for countless individuals.

In addition to her clinical and academic achievements, Dr. Emmanuel has been an active volunteer and board member for various community organizations, including the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County, where she currently serves as President. Her volunteer efforts extend beyond her professional obligations, demonstrating her deep commitment to improving the lives of others.

Her contributions to the Tampa Bay community, her dedication to mentoring, and her unwavering commitment to social justice are a testament to the values that Dr. Reddy exemplified.

Dr. Cromer served as the HCMA’s 117th President in 2020, during the peak of the COVID pandemic. Although his year brought about many unpredicted challenges serving as our first “virtual” President, he accomplished much in making sure the HCMA remained relevant for its members. He became an expert in moderating COVID Townhalls, webinars, and all types of virtual meetings.   

Dr. Cromer was also instrumental in the Association’s sale and move of the HCMA office, a decision that secured a healthy financial future for our HCMA.       

After his Presidency ended, he turned right around and began his HCMA leadership again by serving as Vice President & President-Elect. In 2023, he was installed as HCMA’s 120th President. This time, it wasn’t in the HCMA conference room with three other “masked” HCMA leaders!

At the helm of the HCMA once again, Dr. Cromer led the HCMA delegation at FMA Annual conferences, helped collaborate membership endeavors with physicians in surrounding counties, and participated in the successful launch of HCMA’s valued physician wellness program.

Dr. Cromer is extremely passionate about legislative advocacy and has worked hard to strengthen the HCMA’s political involvement.  He continues to meet with our local legislators and leads an HCMA contingency as they travel to Tallahassee each year during the Legislative Session.  

As a “seasoned physician” who enjoys mentoring young physicians and medical students, his support is apparent as he shares stories and educates them about the importance of the HCMA and organized medicine.

We thank Dr. Cromer for his fortitude and dedication to the HCMA. 

During Membership Dinner on May 7^th, 2024, USF senior medical student, Emily Heideman, received the Inaugural Dr. Robert Yelverton, Sr. Memorial Scholarship.

Emily is a fourth-year medical student who will be entering an Obstetrics & Gynecology residency program in July. Her academic performance qualified her for membership in the USF of the national medical honor society.

Robert "Bo" Yelverton, Jr. presented her with the scholarship.

Congratulations, Emily!

During the HCMA Membership Dinner on February 13^th, 2024, USF medical student, Pranit Singh, received the HCMA Foundation medical student scholarship.

Mr. Singh's own research project focuses on virtual reality to help educate healthcare providers worldwide on brachytherapy for prostate cancer and has a broad range of experience and exploration of public health and organized medicine, along with an immense desire to succeed in his efforts.

Dr. Bruce Shephard, Foundation President, presented him with the scholarship.

Congratulations, Pranit!

During the HCMA Membership Dinner on February 13^th, 2024, USF medical student, Jenna Marek, received HCMA/Rivero, Gordimer and Co. medical student scholarship.

Cardiac surgery is where Ms. Marek discovered a career teeming with passion, creativity,  and the capacity for immensely rewarding advancement and interpersonal connection. Looking ahead, Ms. Marek aspires to address health inequities in global surgery, provide pro-bono cardiac surgical care in under-resourced communities, and contribute to the training and advancement of local surgeons internationally.

Stephen Douglas, CPA, presented her with the scholarship.

Congratulations, Jenna!

During the HCMA Membership Dinner on September 19, 2023, Dr. Joel Silverfield was awarded the HCMA Outstanding Physician Award. Dr. Silverfield is a internal medicine physician and rheumatologist with Baycare Medical Group in Tampa, who also published an article on his award ceremony and accomplishments in his professional career.

Dr. Silverfield obtained his medical degree from Emory University and completed his followship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  He is a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, Florida Society of Rheumatology, and the Florida Medical Association. 

He first became involved by serving as the Chairman of HCMA’s Public Service Committee in 1987. 35 years later, he was installed as the 118th President of the HCMA.  

He represents that rare physician leader who managed to establish two separate but parallel paths to serve the House of Medicine - one as a young, eager physician early in his career, then later as a seasoned physician after many years of medical experience.

His outstanding leadership shined before, during, and after his HCMA presidency. He led the Association with enthusiasm and was instrumental in the many decisions made during a time of uncertainty and pandemic challenges. He believes in the importance of not losing one’s focus, in honesty and obligation, and in making rational decisions that are in the best interest of the Association’s members and the physicians in our communities. 

He continues his involvement at the local level, as well as the state level by serving as an HCMA Delegate to the FMA.  He was also elected this year to serve on the HCMA Board of Trustees, another four-year commitment after his tenure ended.  The HCMA was and is very fortunate to have a leader with such diligence and dedication to medicine.  

His professionalism, demeanor, sagacity, and wit speak for themselves. 

Congratulations, Dr. Silverfield!