Michael D. Springer

Michael D. Springer joined the AAFP as vice president for publishing and communications in 2001. He provides oversight for all phases of operation and strategy of the publications, communications, and online content divisions, including the publication of the Academy's journals - American Family Physician and Family Practice Management. He is responsible for the development and implementation of public policy and general public relations for the organization.

Springer serves as the Academy liaison to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association. He is a member of the board of directors of Annals of Family Medicine, Inc. and is the staff executive to the AAFP's Public Advisory Board.

Prior to joining the AAFP, Springer worked for the American Medical Association in Chicago for 15 years. He served in a variety of positions, including publisher of the AMA's specialty journals, publisher of new media and director of content marketing. In 1997 Springer became president and chief executive officer of American Hospital Publishing, Inc. Later he served as senior vice president of Internet strategy and communications for TLCONTACT.COM, Inc., a consumer health company in Chicago.

Springer received his Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. He completed the Executive Education Program in Business Administration at the University of Illinois, College of Business Administration, Chicago; the Stanford Professional Publishing Program, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif.; the Management Development Program in Health Care at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; and the Harvard Law Program in Negotiation, Harvard University School of Law, Cambridge, Mass.

Very active in the publishing and communications industry, Springer has served on the boards of several professional and trade organizations, including the Arthritis Foundation, the Society of National Association Publishers, and the Midwest Healthcare Marketing Association. He is a member of the editorial advisory board of Medical Marketing and Media, the leading industry trade magazine.