Gary A. Goforth, MD, MTMH, FAAFP
Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida
Spouse: Kathy Goforth
Children: Jonathan, Michael, Sarah
Grandchildren: Christina, Paul, Emma, Charlie
Profession: Family Physician
Current Job: Medical Director, Shell Point Retirement Community (2018 to 6/20/2025)
Prior Jobs:
- Founding Program Director, The Florida State University College of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program at Lee Health (Fort Myers): May 2012 to June 2018
- Program Director, Self Regional Healthcare Family Medicine Residency Program: 1999-2012
- U.S. Army: Family Physician, residency faculty and assistant residency director at Ft. Benning (Ga), Pentagon Army Health Clinic, Ft. Bragg, Operation Desert Shield/Storm (1983-1999)
- Education:
- B.A. (Physics), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN (1976)
- M.D., Vanderbilt School of Medicine (1980)
- Residency in Family Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI (1980-83)
- Fellowship in Tropical Medicine (earned Masters in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene), Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland (1990).
- Experience:
- U.S. Army: Active duty 1980-1993. South Carolina Army National Guard (1994-2002); Retired as Colonel (2002). Awarded Bronze Star during first Gulf War.
- Medical Director: Founding Medical Director of the Greater Greenwood United Ministry Free Medical Clinic (1997-2012), Clinica Gratis Free Clinic (2009), and Abbeville County Free Clinic (2011)
- Volunteers in Medical Missions: currently serve as Board Treasurer and team leader, former board chair
- Rotary International: District Governor D-7750 in 2011-12; District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair for 2012-15; Charter President of Rotary E-Club of the Carolinas (2012-13); District 6960 CART Chair (2016-2022); District 7750 Global Grants Chair (2012-2020), Rotary E-Club of the Carolinas Secretary/Treasurer (2016-current); CART VP Research Grants (2019-current), Rotary 7750 Charities, Inc. (501c3) President (2020-2022), Fort Myers Sunrise Rotary Club President (2024-5)
- Gideons International: Coordinator, Fort Myers/Naples Metro Scripture Blitz (2025); Vice-President (2024-current), President, Fort Myers Camp (2019-2024), Treasurer (2016-19)
- Awards: South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA) Physician of the Year for Service (1999); South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (SCAHEC) Halford Award for Humane Medical Education (2001); South Carolina Rural Health Association Excellence in Rural Education Award (2006); South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians (SCAFP) Family Physician of the Year (2008), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Family Physician of the Year (Top 5 finalist in 2009), SCMA Continuing Medical Education Award (2010), Rotary International Service Above Self Award (2002), Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service (2004), Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award (2014); Rotary International Cliff Dochterman Award (2011); Boy Scouts Long Cane District Distinguished Citizen Award (2011); Lee Memorial Health System Physician of the Month (Feb 2014); Lee County Medical Society 2014 Award for Health Education (Jan 2015)
Hobbies: International medical missions, Hiking, F3 men’s fitness group, Kayaking, Cycling, SCUBA Diving, Aviation (Private Pilot)
