Stewart briefed journalists in August 2024: ‘Now is the Time to Get Vaccinated,’ Experts Say. 

Ada D. Stewart, MD, FAAFP, a family physician with Cooperative Health in Columbia, South Carolina, is Past Board Chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians and Past President. Stewart continues to advocates on behalf of family physicians and patients to inspire positive change in the U.S. health care system as well as ensuring that  Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice is a major focus in the work that she does.  Stewart currently serves as a Chair of the Inaugural AAFP Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness in Family Medicine.

Stewart has been a practicing family physician with Cooperative Health aka Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, since 2012 and currently serves as lead provider and HIV specialist. Stewart has held many leadership positions on the local, state and national levels. Stewart has been a staunch advocate for marginalized populations, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and those of trans experience. Stewart was highlighted nationally as spokesperson during the COVID -19 pandemic recognizing the importance of vaccinations.

Stewart was appointed by Governor McMasters to serve on the Veteran’s Trust Fund of South Carolina. She has also been recognized by the SC House of Representatives as well as the South Carolina Senate for her work to improve the health of South Carolinians as well as her advocacy and leadership accomplishments. Stewart recently concluded her 4 year tenure on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. She has received numerous awards for her service and continue to be the epitome of a servant leader. She continues to work to advocate for Women’s Health and is a co-facilitator for “Healthy Women” – addressing the health and wellbeing of servicewomen. In October 2023, Stewart was named to the East Technical High School Hall of Fame – (her former high -school). She continues to serve in the US Army Reserves where she is a Colonel.

She is a preceptor for nurse practitioners, medical residents and medical students, and has received numerous awards, including the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society 2012 Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award for her precepting at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. She also conducts continuing education programs, webinars and other outreach media opportunities relating to HIV, health disparities, transgender care, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, Prevention, Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Hepatitis C. Stewart currently serves on the Speakers Bureau for Gilead Sciences – Hepatitis C division and HIV Division as well as  Speakers/Faculty for Hologic Inc.