Letter from the Board President
As we near the end of 2022, it’s a good time to look back at what we’ve accomplished this year and look forward to ongoing success.
Throughout 2022, family doctors continued to show up for patients and communities. At the same time, you’ve also shown up for the AAFP Foundation. The progress we’ve made would not have been possible without your time, talent, and treasure contributions. Thank you! I hope you’re feeling a well-earned sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
With the support of our donors and partners, all of the Foundation’s signature programs advanced in 2022. For example, our humanitarian efforts domestically nearly doubled and we’re ready to launch a delegation to the Dominican Republic with the reimagined Family Medicine Cares International program. It was also an excellent year for gatherings, such as FMX, the Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute, National Conference, and the Congress of Delegates. It was good to be back together, face-to-face, or at least mask-to-mask!
At the Board level, we made steady progress on the strategic plan, and we’re excited about 2023. We’re pushing ourselves to meet today’s unmet needs, while also exploring what family physicians of the future might benefit from, whether that’s research support, leadership skills, or opportunities to participate in humanitarian missions.
Meeting humanitarian needs – domestically and internationally – will be easier in the years ahead thanks to the generosity and vision of Kathleen Miller, MD. Her story of giving serves as a powerful reminder of how one comment, or one gift, can make an impact beyond what we might imagine.
Along those same lines, you might be surprised at how much good a micro-grant can accomplish. Check out this inspiring story about the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians and the group’s foundation, the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance. What’s working in Georgia might work for you!
This edition of The Compass also brings an important reminder: The incredible resources of the Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) are free, accessible, and ready for you to use. The CHFM article takes you to the front lines of World War II, with a preview of a new book, A Doctor’s War. As you’ll see, there’s incredible value in preserving our heritage.
While it’s a pleasure to look back at a successful year, I’m eager to move ahead! In 2023, we will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the AAFP Foundation – you’ll be hearing more about that in the coming months. I’m honored to be staying on as your Board of Trustees President, with Tomás Owens, MD, FAAFP, continuing on as President-Elect. We appreciate the confidence of the Board, and the great work the staff has done to get us to this point.
Here’s to a happy, healthy New Year!
With appreciation,
Dave