Faculty representative – Wichita candidate Rex Keith
Serving as the Wichita resident faculty representative, I would be very familiar with what is necessary to maintain a good supply of quality Family Medicine physicians for the state of Kansas. Having programs for high school and undergraduate students to not only explore healthcare as a career but the field of Family Medicine is critical in keeping interest high. I would advocate for promoting an admissions process that also understands the needs of Kansas for primary care physicians, particularly Family Medicine. Also maintaining our excellent Family Medicine residency programs in the state is very important. I would advocate for legislation for improving residency funding as well as maintaining and expanding programs such as the KU Scholars in Rural Health and the Kansas Medical Student Loan programs. Residencies often have patients who are uninsured or underinsured, and so I would support advocating for increased access to primary care for all Kansans. This would include supporting Medicaid expansion in Kansas, and better payments for primary care services. This makes good economic sense as Family doctors are proven to be cost effective in delivering health care. For the many Family Medicine residency graduates practicing in rural Kansas having a working local hospital is important. Advocating for these hospitals is critical for our rural physician and their patients. Finally, the Academy needs to support our Family Medicine physicians in the state with quality continuing medical education and patient education programs to promote healthy lifestyles.