A Legacy of Service

The Joubert-Greene family's connection to the AAFP Foundation may not be widely known, but their enduring support as long-time donors tells an inspiring story. Despite her recent retirement from clinical practice, Paula decided to increase her annual giving to establish an endowed fund in memory of her parents. The Lionel and Mercedes Joubert Humanitarian Fund will support the Foundation’s Family Medicine Cares humanitarian programs, allowing the Foundation discretion as to the specific program that needs the support most while appropriately honoring the Joubert family’s legacy of extending themselves to aid the underserved.

Paula Joubert-Greene's parents, originally from Louisiana, moved to Los Angeles during their youth. Her father worked as a public school administrator, and both parents became prominent figures in the local Black community. Following a strong dedication to their faith and community, Paula and her sister, Ina, chose careers as family physicians and joined the AAFP.

Paula's family history is grounded in Southern University, where her parents Lionel and Mercedes first crossed paths. Her father's academic journey, from starting as a mathematics major at 16 to obtaining master’s and Ed.D. degrees from the University of Southern California and the University of California Los Angeles, underscores their commitment to education and community service. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of significant historical events, including World War II and the Korean conflict, where her father served as a drill instructor specializing in hand-to-hand combat.

Following in her parents' footsteps, Paula attended the University of California San Diego for her undergraduate studies. Subsequently, she pursued a medical degree at Howard University in Washington, D.C., with the support of a National Health Scholarship. Post-residency, she worked on a Navajo Reservation through the Family Medicine program at Martin Luther King Hospital in Los Angeles. Throughout her 40 years in the field, Paula maintained an unwavering commitment to her profession, attending every annual conference except for one.

For over a decade, Paula’s recurring credit card gift was split between two designations. Understanding the importance of unrestricted support, valuing the breadth of Foundation programs, and trusting the organization, Paula directed a portion of her monthly gift to the Annual Fund. To teach her daughter, Ivana, about philanthropy, Paula increased her giving and allowed her daughter to decide where that portion of each gift would be directed. The remainder of her gift was directed to the Family Medicine Cares International program by Ivana. Paula made it a point to teach her children to give back by example, and Ivana chose to support medically underserved communities abroad.

“The level of consistent support the Foundation receives from past and current leaders in the specialty is truly amazing, but we need more donors like Paula, to expand our impact on the specialty of family medicine and all those it serves,” says Mike Armstrong, development strategist for the Foundation. Endowed funds provide an opportunity for donors to have a permanent impact on the specialty, to establish a legacy that extends beyond their own lifetime, and to honor or remember the impact that others have had on their lives and careers. To learn more about establishing an endowed fund, contact Mike Armstrong.