2005 Winner: Darlene Medlock of Spartanburg, South Carolina

During the 2003-2004 election cycle and legislative session, Darlene Medlock worked tirelessly on behalf of physicians and patients as a member of the South Carolina Medical Association Alliance Board of Directors, Chair of the Legislative Committee, and representative to the South Carolina Medical Association PAC (MEDPAC).

Among her many important political accomplishments, Mrs. Medlock designed and orchestrated the One Voice grassroots campaign with the mission of encouraging physicians and their spouses to become involved in the issues impacting medicine. The multi-faceted program addressed three main goals of unification, education and participation. Tactics of the successful program included organizing a legislative retreat for members to gather and strategize, recruiting MEDPAC members, fund raising for legislative and federal level candidates including U.S. Senator Jim DeMint and State Senators Kent Williams, Danny Verdin and Glenn Reese, building a SWAT team in each district in the state, and communications activities including an email and fax system to call members to action when needed. For Election Day, Mrs. Medlock organized a statewide get-out-the-vote campaign and absentee vote program. In addition, she personally campaigned for President George Bush and State Senators Kent Williams and Danny Verdin.

Mrs. Medlock is married to M. DuBose, Jr., MD, a vascular and general surgeon. The Medlocks reside in Spartanburg, South Carolina with six-year-old daughter Mayme-Elizabeth.

Five outstanding nominees were considered by the AMPAC Board of Directors for the national award. In addition to Mrs. Medlock, state winners and national nominees for the 2005 Belle Chenault Award included Nancy C. Swikert, MD of Kentucky; Annette Mohs of Nevada; Dee Talmage of Ohio; and Oklahoma State Senator and Majority Whip Susan Paddack.