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 $1,000 and the second-place winner will receive a $500 award.
The Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) awards up to $3,000 yearly to one or multiple projects that expand our oral history collections 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 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:
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, ext. 6004
Phone: (913) 906-6004
Fax: (913) 906-6095
Email: chfm@aafp.org
Yes. You can access a free, downloadable, and fully searchable PDF version of our catalog here(2 MB PDF). The Guide features a complete listing of the Center's archival, library and museum 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(2 page PDF).
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.
Keith Callahan MD, MBA, FAAFP, East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Convener
Michael O. Fleming, MD, FAAFP, Shreveport, Louisiana
At-Large Representative, 2017-2023
Jennifer Gunn, PhD, Minneapolis, Minnesota
At-Large Representative, 2023-2025
Warren Jones, MD, FAAFP, Ridgeland, Mississippi
At-Large Representative, 2022-2024
Lucius "Luke" Lampton, MD, Magnolia, Mississippi
At-Large Representative, 2019-2025
Justin Bartos, MD, Belford, Texas
AAFP Foundation Liaison
Ed Bujold, MD, FAAFP, Granite Falls, North Carolina
NAPCRG Liason
James E. Froelich, III, DO, FACOFP, Bonham, Texas
ACOFP Liaison
Gail Guerrero-Tucker, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Safford, Arizona
AAFP Liaison
Elizabeth A. Garrett, MD, MSPH, Columbia, Missouri
ABFM Liaison
Rick Kellerman, MD, FAAFP, Wichita, Kansas
ADFM Liaison
John Saultz, MD, Portland, Oregon
STFM Liaison
Kelly G. Ussery-Kronhaus, MD, Brick, New Jersey
AFMRD Liaison
Patrick Falvey, PhD, DSc, FACHE Louisville, Kentucky
Public Trustee
Madeline Standbridge, MS-3, Piney Flats, Tennessee
Student Representative
David R. Smith, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Waunakee, Wisconsin
Ex-Officio Member (AAFP Foundation President, 2023)
Take a look at our free and fully searchable PDF catalog Guide to the Collections of the Center for the History of Family Medicine, which features a complete listing of the Center's archival, library, and museum holdings. Guide to the Collections of the Center for the History of Family Medicine(2 MB PDF)
Browse a a complete list of the Center's archival, library, online, and museum holdings.
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.
Would you like to try something new? Use your skills and talents, or even develop some new ones? Or just want to meet new friends and get out and have fun? Become a volunteer!
Volunteer opportunities at the Center include the following activities:
If you are interested in volunteering at the Center, please reach out to CHFM Manager Crystal Bauer at cbauer@aafp.org.