For more than 30 years, Christopher Wizner, MD, FAAFP, has cared for families in west Georgia, building relationships with patients that span generations. Now, his dedication to medicine and the community he calls home has earned him statewide recognition.

Dr. Wizner, a family medicine physician with Tanner Primary Care of West Paulding, received the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians' (GAFP) 2026 Family Medicine Physician of the Year Award during the organization's annual meeting on Nov. 7 in Alpharetta, Georgia.

The award is the academy's highest honor, recognizing physicians for their leadership, compassionate patient care and service to their communities. Throughout the history of the GAFP, only 53 other family medicine physicians in Georgia have been honored with this award.

“It is a great honor to receive this award and become associated with other physicians who have received this award in prior years and for whom I have great respect,” said Dr. Wizner. “Many are friends and mentors of mine — both now and in the past.”

A native of Paulding County, Dr. Wizner returned to his hometown to establish his medical practice after completing his family medicine residency at Floyd Medical Center in Rome. He has spent more than three decades caring for local families, including more than a decade with Tanner Medical Group, where he provides primary care to patients in rural Paulding County.

His work extends well beyond the exam room. Dr. Wizner serves as medical director for Puckett EMS, the Austell Fire Department, Bremen Fire Department and Paulding County Fire Rescue, supporting emergency medical services across the region.

He has also spent much of his career helping prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. A 1992 graduate of Mercer University School of Medicine, Dr. Wizner has served as a clinical faculty member and mentor for medical students since 1997. He regularly welcomes medical and nurse practitioner students into his practice and provides educational opportunities for high school and college students interested in medicine.

Within Tanner, Dr. Wizner has served on several physician committees, helping support initiatives focused on clinical quality, physician engagement and patient care.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Wizner and grateful for the many contributions he has made to Tanner throughout his career,” said Clint Hoffman, executive vice president of Tanner Medical Group and chief strategy officer at Tanner Health. “Anyone who knows him knows how much he cares about his patients and the community he serves. He’s exactly the kind of physician you hope to have on your team, and we’re fortunate to have him at Tanner. This award is a wonderful recognition of the work he does every day and a reminder to families throughout our region that remarkable care is available close to home.”

Outside his medical practice, Dr. Wizner is a familiar face at local schools and community events. He volunteers at career days, provides sports physicals and supports community activities. During the holidays, he has even been known to trade his white coat for a red suit to play Santa Claus.

“When I joined Tanner 13 years ago, I was looking for a medical group that still respected physicians and retained community values; I found this at Tanner,” said Dr. Wizner. “I feel Tanner has done well to maintain a culture of community-based healthcare, and that’s one of the main reasons I enjoy being a family medicine physician. I get to know the patients and their family members. I’m seeing adults who I cared for when they were children, and now, I’m caring for their children.”

A longtime member of GAFP, Dr. Wizner has been involved with the organization since medical school, including serving in leadership roles and participating in annual meetings for nearly four decades.

The Family Medicine Physician of the Year Award honors physicians who demonstrate the values of family medicine through patient care, professional leadership and community involvement. For Dr. Wizner, those values have guided a career dedicated to caring for his neighbors and making a difference in the place he calls home.