The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) held its Virtual Membership Meeting on August 7, with more than 40 members in attendance.
During the virtual meeting, members voted to elect new leadership for the 2025-26 Academy year; heard from outgoing President Kelly Meehan-de la Cruz, MD, FAAFP, and incoming President Mary Krebs, MD, FAAFP; recognized award recipients; and held a Town Hall to present the Academy’s successes over the last year and respond to member questions.
In addition, the OAFP Foundation (Foundation) provided program and fundraising updates and pulled the winner of the Past Presidents’ Quilt Raffle: Gary LeRoy, MD, FAAFP!
On August 15, the Foundation held a Legacy Reception to celebrate and honor donors, preceptors, preceptorship students, and its Mentorship Award recipient, Roma Amin, MD, FAAFP.
The OAFP held its second Family Medicine Celebration (Celebration) on August 16 at The Exchange Events at Bridge Park in Dublin, OH. More than 40 members reignited their passion for family medicine, networked, received updates, and shared insights with their colleagues.
The day opened with a warm welcome from Mike Sevilla, MD, FAAFP, chair of the Family Medicine Celebration Workgroup, who set the tone for a day of learning and recognition. The morning continued with updates from national leadership as Steven Furr, MD, FAAFP, Board Chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), shared insights on the evolving challenges facing family medicine, the importance of leadership pathways, and the Academy’s efforts to strengthen diversity and growth. Dr. Furr also led a session on leadership, trust, and clinical decision-making, emphasizing safe prescribing practices, risks of poly-controlled substance use, and strategies to taper or discontinue controlled therapies.
Advocacy remained a central theme throughout the Celebration, highlighted during a panel discussion featuring Lauren Huddleston, JD, OAFP’s lobbyist; Nate Overmire, DO, Franklin County Coroner; Andrew Detty, MD, an OAFP emerging leader; and Najhee Purdy, OAFP’s student director. Together, they provided a multifaceted view of advocacy in action—from the legislative process to the role of physicians in public health, and the importance of engaging students and early-career physicians in policy conversations.
In addition, many members were recognized for their leadership and dedication to the Academy. Dr. Furr lead the AAFP Fellow Convocation and installed the 2025-26 OAFP Board of Directors and Dr. Krebs as president; and the Foundation concluded its August Fundraising Campaign raising $11,500 towards a yearend goal of $35,000 to celebrate the Leroy A. Rodgers, MD, Preceptorship Programs 35th anniversary. Make your contribution and help fuel the next generation of family medicine!
The heart of the Celebration was captured in the keynote address delivered by Margot Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP. Her keynote, titled “Rebuilding Trust, Maintaining Equity, and Championing Physician Well-Being in a Changing Healthcare Landscape,” offered a thoughtfully resonant reflection on today’s healthcare challenges and the essential role family physicians play in fostering equity, trust, and well-being in their communities and themselves. In closing, Dr. Savoy encouraged everyone to “Go back to being the broad, lovely you!”
Throughout the day, the spirit of collaboration and community was further amplified through interactive opportunities like themed lunch tables on topics ranging from women’s health to precepting and artificial intelligence. These settings encouraged meaningful, informal dialogue among professionals with shared interests.
The Celebration closed with an off-site reception at Pins Mechanical*—welcoming members and their families to relax, reconnect, and reflect in a relaxed, social setting.
*Financial support for this program was provided by the AAFP Foundation to the Family Medicine Chapter Alliance (FMCA) and is funded by members like you! Help programs like this continue to support family medicine by giving to the AAFP Foundation. Select “Chapter Grants” when making your gift online. Thank you!