Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) has announced that Lindy Vanlandingham, MD, was awarded Flagstaff Medical Center’s (FMC) 2026 Nate Avery Physician of the Year award on March 30, 2026. Dr. Vanlandingham is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OB/GYN) at NAH, where she serves as the Department Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology on FMC’s Medical Executive Committee. She has been a member of NAH’s MEC since January 2025. The MEC is the elected and selected leadership of the medical staff that governs the practice of medicine at NAH.
“We are honored to be recognizing Dr. Vanlandingham with this award. She is an amazing colleague and physician leader, as well as a wonderful, talented, caring advocate for her patients,” said NAH Chief Medical Officer Rachel Levitan, MD.
This illustrious award is named after Nate Avery, MD, a neurosurgeon born and raised in Flagstaff who also practiced at FMC. Dr. Avery passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, empathy and giving. This legacy continues to influence the values and culture of NAH as it seeks to improve health and heal people. The award aims to select a physician who excels at patient care, goes above and beyond in patient experience and quality, and is an engaged member of the community.
“Dr. Vanlandingham leads by example and her dedication to deliver the highest, safest, quality care to her patients is unmatched. She is a phenomenal mentor and teacher to students, residents and colleagues alike. She not only cares for her patients, but for everyone on her team. Dr. Vanlandingham has proven time and time again why she is so deserving to receive this year’s award,” Dr. Levitan added.
Dr. Vanlandingham earned her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, which is also where she completed her OB/GYN residency. She is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
FMC colleagues nominated physicians who exemplify NAH’s values and submitted comments with their nominations. These nominations were reviewed by three members of FMC’s MEC, including Chief of Staff Jeremy Nielsen, MD, former Chief of Staff Mark Lindstrom, DO, and Vice Chief of Staff Rob Berger, MD.