The Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) was officially established in 1992 to actively collect, organize, preserve and provide access to the records of the leading Family Medicine organizations involved in all aspects of the specialty. It also solicits personal and professional papers of family physicians and Family Medicine educators before and after 1969, when family medicine officially became the 20th specialty in American medicine. It designs and exhibits materials from its collections that highlight the specialty's history. CHFM also creates online exhibits and information on its collections via the Center's Web site.
The History Center is administered by the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation. The Foundation is a non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to improve the health of all people by advancing the philosophy and culture of Family Medicine through scientific, educational, charitable and humanitarian initiatives.
The History Center is located at the American Academy of Family Physicians headquarters in Leawood, Kansas, just outside of Kansas City, Missouri. The CHFM's entire collection amounts to approximately 2,000 cubic feet. It is maintained onsite in a climate and humidity-controlled storage facility.
Center for the History of Family Medicine
Vision & Purpose
-- Learn about the Center's mission statement and vision for the future.
Collections
-- Take a look at our free, downloadable and fully searchable PDF catalog.
Donations
-- Access information about how and what you may donate to the Center.
Research - Using the Collections
-- Find out how to conduct research into the Center's collections.
Resources- History of Family Medicine
-- Check out our selected bibliography of Family Medicine, presentations by family physicians on the history of the specialty, and research checklists.
Online Exhibits
-- Explore the world of Family Medicine through our online historical exhibits.
Organizational Members
-- Find out more about the Center's organizational members who comprise the "family of Family Medicine."
Board of Curators
-- Get to know the Board of Curators, which oversees the operations and activities of the Center.
Center for History of Family Medicine Endowment
-- Help the Center by donating to our endowment.
What's New at the Center for the History of Family Medicine
-- Check this page for the latest information about happenings in the CHFM
Contacting the Center for the History of Family Medicine
-- Find out how to contact us if you need more information or if you have questions.
Classics in Family Medicine
-- A collection of the most classic and memorable works relating to the history and development of the specialty of Family Medicine.
WHY DONATE TO THE AAFP FOUNDATION?
Supporting your Foundation means you believe in the power of family medicine and in the importance of helping others.
“The ultimate beneficiary...is the patients. Because all of this is to improve patient outcomes.”
Michael O. Fleming , MD
