Resident members are now able to volunteer as Family Doctor of the Day! See below for the application and more information.

Family Doctor of the Day (FDOD) is a volunteer program organized by the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians (KAFP), in which KAFP members volunteer to serve as doctor of the day at the Statehouse each day during the legislative session.

Volunteers assist legislators, staff and visitors of the capitol with health needs that may arise throughout the day.  The FDOD program is designed to serve as an aid station, not an extension of a typical clinic setting. 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!

Physician Volunteer Application Resident Volunteer Application

The purpose of the FDOD program is to serve as an aid station to guests (legislators, staff and visitors of the capitol).  A typical day will consist of checking blood pressure, distributing ibuprofen, examining sore throats, and identifying if it is “allergies, a cold, or the flu.”

The FDOD office is stocked with over the counter medications and supplies only.  In the event of a medical emergency, call 911.

Should any guest require medication or attention beyond what is already provided in the supply cabinet, it is at the volunteers’ discretion to decide if (a) a referral back to the guest’s primary care physician is necessary, or (b) if it is in the guests best interest to seek emergency care at a medical facility.

KAFP members with an active Kansas medical license and maintain medical malpractice insurance are eligible to serve as FDOD.

Resident members who hold an resident active license may volunteer on their own time, serving as a “moonlighting” function. Residents may also volunteer under their postgraduate permit or training license and within the confines of the protocol established by their residency program. Residents volunteering through their postgraduate permit or training license will need to identify an academic advisor or faculty member to act as your supervising physician.

Medical students may accompany an approved volunteer and observe FDOD activities.

FAST FACTS for your volunteer service:

  • FDOD volunteers are needed at the capitol from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Volunteers will receive reminder emails in advance of each scheduled date.
  • Review the KAFP FDOD Communications for day-of instructions, COVID-19 Safety Measures and more.
  • Review the Capitol Communications for additional information from the Statehouse.

Confirmed volunteers will be emailed a full detailed, two-page volunteer instructions PDF prior to their volunteer date.

The Statehouse does not have a masking requirement for the 2025 legislative session. Please be aware however, the KAFP may request that guests of the FDOD Office wear a mask, if a surge in COVID-19 cases occurs.

  • While masks are not required in the FDOD Office at this time, they will be made available for optional use.
  • Hand sanitizer will also be available for use in the FDOD Office.
  • Please knock on the FDOD Office door prior to entering to ensure only one guest is present per visit. Children and other family members may accompany guests when necessary for care.

Questions?

Contact KAFP with any questions.

If you are unable to serve on your scheduled volunteer date, please contact KAFP as soon as possible so the calendar may be updated.

Volunteer Calendar

MONDAY

 TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY
6

NO FDOD SCHEDULED

 7

NO FDOD SCHEDULED

 8

NO FDOD SCHEDULED

 9

NO FDOD SCHEDULED

 10

NO FDOD SCHEDULED
13

Keith Ratzlaff, MD, FAAFP

 14 15

Sheryl Beard, MD, FAAFP

 16

Chad Johanning, MD, FAAFP

 17

NO FDOD SCHEDULED
20

NO SESSION
MLK, Jr. Day

 21 22 23 24

NO FDOD SCHEDULED
27

Benjamin Nelson, MD, PGY2

 28

David Smith, MD, FAAFP

  29

Travis Keller, MD

  30  31

NO FDOD SCHEDULED

Thank you!

KAFP is so thankful for our 2025 Family Doctor of the Day volunteers! The Academy and statehouse legislators and guests are grateful for your service this year. The following members gave of their time and talent to serve as FDOD this legislative session:

2025 FDOD Volunteers: Sandra Archer, MD; Joseph Asher, MD; Sheryl Beard, MD, FAAFP; Deb Doubek, MD, FAAFP; Doug Gruenbacher, MD; Doug Iliff, MD, FAAFP; Saby Karuppiah, MD, MPH, FAAFP; Travis Keller, MD; Edwin Kahembe, MD, PGY2; Bob Kraft, MD; Haley Lowell, MD; Casey McNeil, MD, PhD; Jennifer Bacani McKenney, MD, FAAFP; Benjamin Nelson, MD, PGY2; Keith Ratzlaff, MD, FAAFP; Aaron Sinclair, MD, FAAFP; David Smith, MD, FAAFP; Brian Wolfe, MD, FAAFP; Grant Walker, DO, PGY3; Belinda Vail, MD, FAAFP; Robert Freelove, MD; Lynn Fisher, MD, FAAFP (twice!); Chad Johanning, MD, FAAFP (twice!) and Nicole Yedlinsky, MD, CAQSM, FAAFP, FACSM

We were excited to include resident members among our volunteers for the first time in 2025. The KAFP team would like to thank Aaron Sinclair, MD, FAAFP; Gretchen Irwin, MD, FAAFP; and Chad Johanning, MD, FAAFP for helping with the preparations for welcoming resident volunteers. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Deb Doubek, MD, FAAFP; Lynn Fisher, MD, FAAFP; and Chad Johanning, MD, FAAFP for serving on the FDOD Work Group and for your all of you efforts to keep FDOD safe for our volunteers and guests!