In his book, “Family Practice Stories: Memories, Reflections and Stories of Hoosier Family Doctors of the Mid-Twentieth Century(www.amazon.com),” Richard D. Feldman, M.D., wrote and edited a number of fascinating tales, including The Tooth, The Attack, and The Last Little Girl. His goal, in part, was to highlight the foundational values of family practice, and pass those principles on to medical students and residents.
Beginning with the 2020 AAFP National Conference, Feldman’s ability to educate and inspire future family physicians will extend beyond the printed page. The Richard D. Feldman, M.D. Endowed Lectureship on Ethics, Professionalism, and Family Medicine Values will provide an annual platform to build knowledge of, pride in, and commitment to maintaining the ethics and values of the specialty.
While partnering with the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians on “Family Practice Stories,” Feldman became the first recipient of the now-named Sandra L. Panther Fellowship in the History of Family Medicine, enabling him to conduct research at the Center for the History of Family Medicine. The book and the accompanying study guide won the 2017 AAFP Foundation Outstanding Program Award.
The endowed lectureship will offset travel (when we travel again!) and honorarium costs for a speaker to provide an annual session on a topic reflective of the lectureship name. His talk at the virtual 2020 AAFP National Conference is titled, "Family Practice Stories: Teaching Professionalism Through Storytelling."
Thank you to this outstanding doctor and the more than 25 colleagues and friends who donated in his honor, making this legacy and learning opportunity possible! If you are interested in creating a family medicine legacy, please contact the AAFP Foundation.