Center for the History of Family Medicine

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
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.

Founding Dates of the Eight Major Family Medicine Organizations.

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.