Wyoming Medical Society named Mike Tracy, MD, FAAP, FACP as its 2016 Wyoming Physician of the Year today (Friday). Tracy is a pioneer in the field of direct primary care, which he practices in Powell with Dr. Bob Chandler at 307Health.

Direct primary care is a type of primary care billing and payment arrangement made between patients and providers, without sending claims to insurance providers.

"It's a real surprise and it is an honor to have this award given to me," Tracy said. "There are a lot of deserving people in the state. I think about the people who have received the award in the past and it's been for contribution in one way or another in the field of medicine making this state a better place to live and practice medicine, so it really is an honor."

The Wyoming Medical Society Physician of the Year awards an outstanding Wyoming doctor from nominations submitted by colleagues, hospitals, healthcare professionals, and friends who believe in a physician who stands out from the crowd whether it be through medical innovation and clinical 

decision-making, or leadership within their communities.

"He is an extraordinary leader in medicine, an outstanding physician, and we are very proud to have him as our Physician of The Year," said Wyoming Medical Society Board President Sigsbee Duck, RPh, MD. "It couldn't happen to a better colleague or friend."

Tracy was nominated for the award by Casper physician Joe McGinley, MD, PhD. In his nomination form, McGinley wrote, "Dr. Tracy is an outstanding physician and excellent candidate for this award. Dr. Tracy continues to advance medical care here in Wyoming by successfully developing a direct primary care model in Powell."

Tracy received his medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine after earning a bachelors in Psychology at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Tracy performed his residency at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, before serving as a primary care and internal medicine physician in Missouri. After moving to Powell in September of 2002, he practiced at Powell Hospital and Nursing Home.

He and Chandler opened 307Health Direct Primary Care in July of 2015.

In June of 2012, Tracy served as the President of the Wyoming Medical Society's Board of Directors and was known for his work in developing a series of Wyoming Patient Safety Summits. Tracy is a fellow of the American College of Physicians in addition to being the Governor of the Wyoming chapter of the American College of Physicians. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and alumni of the National Health Service Corps.

Far from just a practicing physician, Tracy also serves as a clinical assistant professor with the University of Washington School of Medicine and serves on the Board of Directors for Powell Valley Healthcare and the Mountain Pacific Quality Health Foundation.

Tracy will accept his award during the Wyoming Medical Society annual meeting, a three-day conference at Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park, June 3-5.