Richard D. Feldman, M.D. Student and Resident
Essay Contest
The Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) sponsors a contest to encourage medical students and family medicine residents to write scholarly essays relevant to the history of family medicine in the United States.
The first-place winner will receive $2,000 and the second-place winner will receive a $1,000 award.
Oral History Research Grant
The Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) awards up to $3,000 yearly to one project that expands our oral history collection on family medicine by supporting serious research that uses oral history as a principal source and offers fresh perspectives on a subject area within the field
The Sandra L. Panther Fellowship
The Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) sponsors one Fellowship in the History of Family Medicine each year. The Fellowship supports research using the collections of the CHFM to advance understanding and appreciation of the history of Family Medicine.
The Sandra L. Panther Fellowship provides a $3,000 award to the fellow after completion of research at the Center for the History of Family Medicine. Awards cover research conducted between June 1 and December 31 during the year in which the Fellowship is awarded.
The CHFM serves as the official historical repository for the following Family Medicine organizations:
- The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
- The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (AAFP Foundation)
- The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM)
- The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)
- The Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM)
- The Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors (AFMRD)
- The North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG)
- The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM)
In addition, the CHFM collections document some of the smaller ancillary Family Medicine organizations, such as the Association of Family Medicine Administration (AFMA) and the Family Medicine Residency Nurses Association (FMRNA). The CHFM collections also document the Family Medicine Working Party and some international associations, such as the International Center for Family Medicine (ICFM) and the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians/World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA).
Yes, the CHFM is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday. Arrangements may be made to use CHFM's resources at other times by special appointment. Feel free to contact the CHFM staff at any time with your questions or to make an appointment.
Center for the History of Family Medicine
11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
Leawood, KS 66211-2672
Toll-free: (800) 274-2237
Fax: (913) 906-6095
Email: chfm@aafp.org
Yes. You can access our online catalog HERE for a complete list of our holdings.
Yes, we accept donations of items from individuals and organizations related to family medicine, family physicians and family medicine leaders and educators. Please contact the CHFM before sending materials, to determine if they fit our scope of the collection and to make arrangements for donation and transfer.
Family Medicine (then known as family practice) officially became a medical specialty in the United States on February 8, 1969, when the amended final application was approved by the Advisory Board for Medical Specialties and the AMA Council on Medical Education in Chicago. This approval empowered the American Board of Family Practice (now the American Board of Family Medicine) to conduct examinations and to grant certification to family physicians.
The CHFM has several excellent resources on the history of family medicine.
If you need additional information on the history of family medicine, please contact the CHFM.
This is a common, but difficult question to answer. Many residencies were established before family practice (now Family Medicine) was designated a medical specialty in 1969. Some were operating as general practice residencies and then were converted to family practice once the "Essentials of an Approved Family Practice Residency" were in place.
In December 1968, a modified application for a primary certifying board in family practice was submitted to the Advisory Board for Medical Specialties and the AMA Council on Medical Education. As part of that application, 15 pilot residencies were listed that conformed to the new "Essentials." The 15 residencies listed on that application are generally considered to be the "first approved" family practice residencies. The First Fifteen Family Medicine Residency Programs.
Board of Curators
The Board of Curators for the Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) advises the AAFP Foundation on the overall planning and administration of the History Center and recommends to the AAFP Foundation's Board of Trustees policies governing the scope of the History Center and access to its collections.
Christopher Watson, MD, MPH
Jacksonville, Florida
Convener
Andrea Augustine, MS-3, MPH
Stockbridge, Georgia
Student Trustee
Ed Bujold, MD, FAAP
Granite Falls, North Carolina
NAPCRG Liaison
Keith Callahan, MD, MBA, FAAFP
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
AAFP Foundation Liaison
Peter Coggan, MD
Bellingham, Washington
STFM Liaison
Beth Damitz, MD,
Franklin, Wisconsin
At-Large Representative 2024 – 2026
Patrick Falvey, PhD, DSc, FACHE
Louisville, Kentucky
Corporate Trustee
Elizabeth A. Garrett, MD, MSPH
Columbia, Missouri
ABFM Liaison
Jennifer Gunn, PhD
Minneapolis, Minnesota
At-Large Representative 2023 – 2025
Warren Jones, MD
Ridgeland, Mississippi
At-Large Representative 2025 – 2027
Lucius M. "Luke" Lampton, MD
Magnolia, Mississippi
At-Large Representative 2019 – 2025
Harry Lausen, DO
Carlinville, IL
ACOFP Liaison
Teresa Lovins, MD, FAAFP
Columbus, Indiana
AAFP Liaison
Beth Rosemergey, DO, FAAFP
Lee’s Summit, Missouri
ADFM Liaison
Kelly G. Ussery-Kronhaus, MD
Brick, New Jersey
AFMRD Liaison
Jay-Sheree Akambase, MD, FAAFP
Rochester, Minnesota
Ex Officio Member [AAFP Foundation President, 2025]
Our Collections
Browse a complete list of the Center's archival, library, online, and museum holdings.
Donate to the Center
The Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) seeks both monetary and material donations. It is administered by the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, a non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organization.
Volunteer
Volunteer opportunities at the Center include the following activities:
Become an At-Large Member of the Board of Curators. The Board of Curators for the Center for the History of Family Medicine(CHFM) advises the AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees on the planning and administration of the CHFM and makes policy recommendations governing the scope of the Center and access to its collections. The Curators meet twice a year in April (virtual) and November (in person). The Board of Curators accepts applications for At-Large members from August 1 to September 1. The application form outlines the requirements for the At-Large position. If you have additional questions about volunteering as a member of the CHFM Board of Curators, please contact Kelly Heide or 913-906-6031.
Help Center staff process, organize, and conserve new and incoming collections (library books, archives, medical artifacts, audiovisual materials, etc.)
Prepare for and conduct oral history interviews with family physicians, teachers, and staff of Family Medicine organizations.
The AAFP Foundation strives to create a sense of belonging through an inclusive environment that embraces the family medicine community by recognizing individual uniqueness and contributions to family medicine.