Dr. Charles McIntosh , the first African American physician in Jacksonville to practice pediatric medicine, will receive OneJax ‘s 2025 life achievement award.
Now 97 and retired, McIntosh was also the first African American to sit on the Florida Board of Medical Examiners, appointed by two governors, Reuben Askew and Bob Graham.
On May 1 he will be one of five community leaders honored at the interfaith organization’s annual Humanitarian Awards fundraiser. The others are Johnnetta Betsch Cole , a nationally known educator and social activist; John Peyton , former Jacksonville mayor and president of Gate Petroleum; Debbie Buckland , area manager of Pinnacle Financial Partners in North Florida and chairwoman of the JTA board ; and Josh Martino, president and CEO for Home Team Restaurant Group and Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q .
“The 2025 class of Humanitarians … hail from different areas of our community and are involved with a wide variety of good and important work,” OneJax CEO Elizabeth Andersen said. “These honorees represent a growing list of people working to help take Northeast Florida to the next level. Their impact is immeasurable.”