Center for the History of Family Medicine
Our vision
Our vision, as the collective memory of the specialty, is to play a major role in informing through history the transformation and future of family medicine as a discipline.
Our mission
To serve as the principal resource center for the collection, conservation, study, exhibition and dissemination of materials relating to the evolving history of the specialty of family medicine in the U.S.
Our collections
Frequently asked questions
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 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.
2026 Board of Curators
Christopher Watson, MD, MPH
Warren Jones, MD, FAAFP
Andrea Augustine, MPH, MS-4
Richelle Koopman, MS, MD, FAAP
Peter Coggan, MD
Kristina Laguerre, MD, FAAFP
Beth Damitz, MD
Harry Lausen, DO
Patrick Falvey, PhD, DSc, FACHE
Kathleen N. Mueller, MD, FAAFP
Elizabeth Garrett, MD, MSPH
Beth Rosemergey, DO, FAAFP
Aaron George, DO, FAAFP
Kelly G. Ussery-Kronhaus, MD, FAAFP
Jennifer Gunn, PhD
Renee Markovich, MD, FAAFP
Center for the History of Family Medicine Grants & Awards
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.