Ohio Academy of Family Physicians’ (OAFP) chapter leaders met in Kansas City, MO, May 8 – 11 for the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL), the Annual Chapter Leader Forum (ACLF), and the State Leadership Conference (SLC).
The most exciting news coming out of the whole conference was the election of Ohio family physician Matthew Adkins, DO, as the 2023 New Physician Director on the AAFP Board of Directors. Dr. Adkins will be installed on the AAFP Board in Chicago during the 2023 Congress of Delegates this September. Read more about Dr. Adkins to learn why his leadership talents were recognized and selected for AAFP Board service.
Dr. Adkins, who also served as the LGBTQ+ NCCL co-convener was supported by Ohio’s official delegates to NCCL, AAFP’s premier policy development event for underrepresented constituencies, which included: Brooke Babyak, MD (LGBTQ+ Representative); Derrick Cameron, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAFP (Minority Physician Representative); Megan Early, DO, MPH (Women Physician Representative); Roger Musa, MD (International Medical Graduate Physician Representative); John Sharma, MD, FAAFP (IMG Co-Convener); Karen Shafer, MD, JD (New Physician Representative); Heidi Yount, MD, FAAFP (Women Co-Convener); and two OAFP emerging leaders, Rebecca Yeager, MD, FAAFP, and Amy Zack, MD, FAAFP.
ACLF is the AAFP’s leadership development program for chapter-elected leaders, aspiring leaders, and chapter staff. Ohio members attending included Roma Amin, MD; Wayne Forde, MD, FAAFP; Doug Harley, DO, FACOFP, FAAFP; Katherine Davis, MD, FAAFP; Jaividhya Dasarathy, MD, FAAFP; Mary Krebs, MD, FAAFP; Elisabeth Righter, MD, FAAFP; Sarah Sams, MD, FAAFP; and staff members in attendance included Communications Manager Lauren Heberling; Workforce and Advocacy Manager Caitlin Laudeman; Executive Vice President Kate Mahler, CAE; and Deputy Executive Vice President Kaitlin McGuffie.
This year, the AAFP added the SLC to the multi-day schedule which built a network for sharing state legislative wins/challenges and an environment for enhanced advocacy training. Most of Ohio’s delegation stayed the extra day to hone their legislative and regulatory skills.
- All of our NCCL delegates participated in the special constituency election process to fill various national-level leadership positions – each did a tremendous job.
- An opening session, Town Hall discussion, and a special elections session were held with AAFP’s senior leadership. One critical discussion was centered on the work being conducted to reimagine the process for electing national leaders to the AAFP’s Board of Directors. The session was created to not only to provide an update on the process to date, but to listen and gather concerns before a resolution is presented to the AAFP Congress of Delegates for a vote.
- A keynote speaker from the Lorne Breen Heroes Foundation addressed all participants on the critical importance of mental health and well-being of the healthcare workforce. The OAFP will be utilizing many of the resources of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation to reignite the conversation with the State Medical Board of Ohio to eliminate the mental health questions on licensure.
- Attendees from Ohio joined leaders from the American Board of Family Medicine and the Alabama, North Carolina, Minnesota chapters for an interactive dinner event at No Other Pub in Kansas City’s Power & Light District.
- Members participated in breakout sessions that covered governance; communications; advocacy; media relations; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and membership issues.
In 2024, the three-part leadership conference will be held Thursday-Saturday, April 18-20, 2024, in Kansas City. Save the date and plan to attend next year!