Mark your calendars for Jan. 29, 2020 — Kansas’ birthday and Advocacy Day in Topeka! Advocacy Day is for physicians, residents and medical students who are interested in learning more about how to advocate for medicine. The day will energize you, prepare you, and inform you about Kansas issues and the upcoming legislative session. Registration and schedule coming soon. This is our biggest legislative event of the year – don’t miss it!
Our four elected delegates recently represented the KAFP during AAFP’s Congress of Delegates Sept. 22-27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Penn. Jen Brull, MD, FAAFP of Plainville and Doug Gruenbacher, MD of Quinter served as delegates while Diane Steere, MD and Lynn Fisher, MD, FAAFP, both of Wichita, served as alternate delegates. All four provided testimony in support and opposition of a variety of resolutions and Drs. Brull and Gruenbacher voted to elect three candidates for the AAFP board of directors and for the president elect position.
For the first time in KAFP’s history, we gather input throughout the summer from the voting-eligible membership on a variety of topics, ensuring our delegates could accurately represent the opinions of the majority of members who responded to the surveys and outreach.
As you know, KAFP submitted a late resolution, asking the Congress of Delegates to reverse a 2018 decision taking an approach of engaged neutrality regarding medical aid in dying/physician assisted suicide to one of opposition of medical aid in dying/physician assisted suicide. Unfortunately, this resolution had to pass by two-thirds vote of delegates to be referred to committee and it did not pass. Additionally, KAFP submitted a resolution allowing physicians to use their language of choice related to medical aid in dying and/or physician assisted suicide. The Reference Committee on Advocacy referred this resolution the AAFP Board of Directors.
KAFP Board President, Sheryl Beard, MD, FAAFP of Andover said, “The most valuable thing we learned from this past year leading up to Congress, was how to engage members well. We felt like we were able to hear our members and bring their concerns forth. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, thank you to all who submitted opinions to the KAFP officers, delegates and staff. We were also able to learn about the process of submitting late resolutions. This is the first time in history that a late resolution was not heard by Congress, which was disappointing to say the least.”
To address this, Dr. Beard said, “We will again submit this resolution next year at the regular time, which prevents resolutions from being voted down.”
You can read all of the reference committee reports here (your AAFP login is required).
Although the outcomes of our submitted resolutions were not what KAFP had hoped for, association leaders are pleased to have so much membership engagement and input into the process. Thank you to our delegates, task force members, resolutions committee members and general members for participating in the democratic process. KAFP will employ a similar member engagement process for 2020 resolution submissions and in preparation for Congress of Delegates, which will be held Oct. 12-14 in Chicago, Ill.
Get your Family Doctor of the Day (FDOD) volunteer date on your calendar early and get first pick of dates! We invite all of our active members and residents with a Kansas medical license, to serve as the FDOD at the Statehouse during the legislative session.
Available dates can be found at www.kafponline.org/FDOD.
FDOD volunteers report to the Statehouse in Topeka at 9:00 a.m. and stay until 3:00 p.m. taking care of legislators, staff and sometimes even visitors who need medical attention.
FDOD is a volunteer program organized by the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, in which KAFP provides for a family physician to be present at the Statehouse each day during the legislative session. KAFP relies on its trusted membership to volunteer to serve as FDOD.
The FDOD program is an opportunity to network in Topeka, learn about the legislative process, attend part of a session or committee meeting and provide a much-appreciated service to legislators on behalf of KAFP.
Volunteers assist legislators and their staff with health needs that may arise throughout the day. Checking blood pressure, distributing ibuprofen, examining sore throats: the health issues are mainly minor health needs, with a few more serious ailments during the year. The legislators are grateful for the program and it showcases the great work of family medicine in patient care!
KAFPKansas has some of the best family doctors! Help us showcase the great work of our members by nominating an outstanding family physician you know.
The deadline for submission of 2020 nominees is Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. KAFP is seeking nominations for the following awards:
Do you know a Kansas family physician deserving of any of these honors? KAFP wants to hear from you!
Get your Family Doctor of the Day (FDOD) volunteer date on your calendar early and get first pick of dates! We invite all of our active members and residents with a Kansas medical license, to serve as the FDOD at the Statehouse during the legislative session.
FDOD is a volunteer program organized by the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, in which KAFP provides for a family physician to be present at the Statehouse each day during the legislative session. KAFP relies on its trusted membership to volunteer to serve as FDOD.
The FDOD program is an opportunity to network in Topeka, learn about the legislative process, attend part of a session or committee meeting and provide a much-appreciated service to legislators on behalf of KAFP.
Volunteers assist legislators and their staff with health needs that may arise throughout the day. Checking blood pressure, distributing ibuprofen, examining sore throats: the health issues are mainly minor health needs, with a few more serious ailments during the year. The legislators are grateful for the program and it showcases the great work of family medicine in patient caret!
Available dates Jan. 20-Feb. XX, 2019. FDOD volunteers report to the Statehouse in Topeka at 9:00 a.m. and stay until 3:00 p.m. taking care of legislators, staff and sometimes even visitors who need medical attention.
Thank you for your consideration of taking a day to volunteer for this important program. Sign up today.
Get your Family Doctor of the Day (FDOD) volunteer date on your calendar early and get first pick of dates! We invite all of our active members and residents with a Kansas medical license, to serve as the FDOD at the Statehouse during the legislative session.
FDOD is a volunteer program organized by the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, in which KAFP provides for a family physician to be present at the Statehouse each day during the legislative session. KAFP relies on its trusted membership to volunteer to serve as FDOD.
The FDOD program is an opportunity to network in Topeka, learn about the legislative process, attend part of a session or committee meeting and provide a much-appreciated service to legislators on behalf of KAFP.
Volunteers assist legislators and their staff with health needs that may arise throughout the day. Checking blood pressure, distributing ibuprofen, examining sore throats: the health issues are mainly minor health needs, with a few more serious ailments during the year. The legislators are grateful for the program and it showcases the great work of family medicine in patient caret!
FDOD volunteers report to the Capitol Building in Topeka at 9:00 a.m. and stay until 3:00 p.m. taking care of legislators, staff and sometimes even visitors who need medical attention.
Thank you for your consideration of taking a day to volunteer for this important program. Sign up today (LINK).
KAFPKansas has some of the best family doctors! Help us showcase the great work of our members by nominating an outstanding family physician you know.
The deadline for submission of 2020 nominees is December 31, 2019. KAFP is seeking nominations for the following awards:
Previous Exemplary Teaching Award (full-time/part-time and volunteer category) winners include: Drs. Amy Curry and Marty Turner (2019); Patricia Fitzgibbons and Todd Miller (2018); Chantel Long and Stephen Hawks (2017); Tara Neil and Joe Davison (2016); Doug Woolley and Jacques Blackman (2015). View all past recipients.
Do you know a Kansas family physician deserving of any of these honors? KAFP wants to hear from you!
The AAFP Congress of Delegates (COD) meets this week to develop and set policy for the Academy and to elect its officers and the Board of Directors. Use #AAFPCOD on Twitter and Instagram to follow all COD debates, hear exciting announcements and to engage in the conversation with other members. http://ow.ly/5B3W50wfLpD
Your Kansas delegation is supporting you well! Many thanks to Jen Brull, MD, FAAFP (Delegate), Doug Gruenbacher, MD (Delegate), Lynn Fisher, MD, FAAFP (Alternate Delegate) Diane Steere, MD (Alternate Delegate).
Family Medicine Experience (FMX) is AAFP’s Annual Conference, September 24-28, 2019. KAFP member Denise Zwahlen, MD will co-present Pneumococcal Immunization Practice on Saturday, Sept. 28.
KAFPKansas has some of the best family doctors! Help us showcase the great work of our members by nominating an outstanding family physician you know. Previous Family Physician of the Year winners include: Drs. John Eplee (2019), Michael Machen (2018), Jerry Niernberger (2017), Charles Allred (2016), Rick Kellerman (2015).
The deadline for submission of 2020 nominees is December 31, 2019. KAFP is seeking nominations for the following awards:
Do you know a Kansas family physician deserving of any of these honors? KAFP wants to hear from you!
Get your Family Doctor of the Day (FDOD) volunteer date on your calendar early and get first pick on dates and get it crossed of your to-do-list now! The 2020 legislative session will be here before you know it! We invite all of our active members and residents with a Kansas license, to serve as the FDOD at the Statehouse during the legislative session.
FDOD is a volunteer program organized by the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, in which KAFP provides for a family physician to be present at the Statehouse each day during the legislative session. KAFP relies on its trusted membership to volunteer to serve as FDOD.
The FDOD program is an opportunity to network in Topeka, learn about the legislative process, perhaps attend part of a session or committee, and provide a much-appreciated service to legislators on behalf of KAFP.
Volunteers assist legislators and their staff with health needs that may arise throughout the day. Checking blood pressure, distributing ibuprofen, examining sore throats: the health issues are mainly minor health needs, with a few more serious ailments during the year. The legislators are grateful for the program and it definitely puts family medicine in a favorable light!
FDOD volunteers report to the Capitol Building in Topeka at 9:00 a.m. and stay until 3:00 p.m. taking care of legislators, staff and sometimes even visitors who need medical attention.
Thank you for your consideration of taking a day to volunteer for this important program.