ORLANDO, FLA. -  Michael Zappa, MD, FACEP, who served as the president of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians (FCEP) from 2003-04, is the 2006 recipient of the Martin J. Gottlieb Award. The award was created in 2004 by Mel Gottlieb, Martin’s father and the CEO of Martin Gottlieb & Associates, LLC, a Jacksonville-based emergency medicine billing company. Gottlieb created the award to recognize individuals who embrace Martin’s strong belief and example of supporting and leading Florida’s emergency medicine advocacy efforts. The award memorializes the life’s work of Martin, a leading advocate for emergency medicine, who passed away in 2004.

The award presentation took place Saturday at the 2006 Symposium by the Sea, at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, in Boca Raton. Dr. Zappa, the Medical Director and Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee, is the Vice President of the Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center (EMLRC).

“It is a great honor to receive this award. The continued efforts of everyone in emergency medicine to serve our patients and our profession provide an ongoing tribute to Marty's life,” said Dr. Zappa, who accepted the award from Mel Gottlieb.

Dr. Zappa, President of Emergency Physician Enterprises, completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Florida, Health Science Center in Jacksonville, as Chief Resident in 1991. He began practicing Emergency Medicine in West Palm Beach and became very active in the community, EMS, the American Heart Association and FCEP. Dr. Zappa has served on various committees for the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and has chaired several ACEP task forces and subcommittees. He also serves on the clinical faculty at Barry University.

The Florida College of Emergency Physicians (FCEP) represents more than 1,100 emergency physicians in the state of Florida. FCEP members represent the health care safety net of Florida’s residents and visitors. More than seven million patients seek care annually in Florida emergency departments. FCEP was founded on Oct. 15, 1971 and is headquartered in Orlando.