WASHINGTON -- Teresa M. Baker has been appointed to serve as a federal lobbyist for the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). In her new role, Baker helps the AAFP influence federal policy on health care issues important to its nearly 94,000 physician members.
Baker represents the professional medical organization and advocates its positions to the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government. Baker's responsibilities include involvement in the legislative and regulatory processes, strategic planning and building relationships between the AAFP and targeted legislative groups. Throughout 2007, Baker will focus her advocacy efforts on issues important to America's family doctors and their patient.
American Academy of Family Physicians Names New Lobbyist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 16, 2007
Contact:
Leslie Champlin
American Academy of Family Physicians
(800) 274-2237, Ext. 5224
lchampli@aafp.org
Teresa Baker to Advocate on Behalf of America's Family Doctors to U.S. Congress
- Increasing health care access to a greater number of Americans.
- Providing incentives to physicians who use electronic health records and helping physicians who currently do not have them with the cost and training necessary to implement them.
- Improving payment to physicians who care for Medicare patients so doctors can continue to care for the elderly.
- Appropriating federal funding for family medicine training programs, such as Title VII Health Professions Grants.
Baker is based in the AAFP's Government Relations office in Washington, D.C. She replaces Doreen Bell who held the position since 2005.
A Washington native, Baker previously served as a senior legislative analyst and appropriations associate to Rep. Don Sherwood (R-Pa). Before joining Sherwood's staff, she worked for Rep. Joseph M. McDade (R-Pa) for nearly 16 years, ending her tenure as his legislative director in 1998.
Baker is a seasoned government affairs professional with more than a 25 years of public service on Capitol Hill. She served the 10th District of Pennsylvania in positions of increasing responsibility under two members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Over the course of a distinguished career, Baker has gained extensive experience in all aspects of Congressional activity, including the legislative process, constituent services, office administration, and intergovernmental liaison. Baker's areas of specialization include appropriations, education, health care, labor, foreign affairs, Social Security, taxes and trade.
"I am confident that in addition to her extensive experience, Teresa brings strong leadership and innovative ideas to our federal advocacy efforts," AAFP's Vice President for Public Policy and Practice Support, Rosi Sweeney, said of Baker's hire.
Baker is a member of the Junior League of Washington, D.C. She also volunteers at the Folger Shakespeare Library.
Baker earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from McDaniel College, formerly Western Maryland College, in Westminster, Md.
A Washington native, Baker previously served as a senior legislative analyst and appropriations associate to Rep. Don Sherwood (R-Pa). Before joining Sherwood's staff, she worked for Rep. Joseph M. McDade (R-Pa) for nearly 16 years, ending her tenure as his legislative director in 1998.
Baker is a seasoned government affairs professional with more than a 25 years of public service on Capitol Hill. She served the 10th District of Pennsylvania in positions of increasing responsibility under two members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Over the course of a distinguished career, Baker has gained extensive experience in all aspects of Congressional activity, including the legislative process, constituent services, office administration, and intergovernmental liaison. Baker's areas of specialization include appropriations, education, health care, labor, foreign affairs, Social Security, taxes and trade.
"I am confident that in addition to her extensive experience, Teresa brings strong leadership and innovative ideas to our federal advocacy efforts," AAFP's Vice President for Public Policy and Practice Support, Rosi Sweeney, said of Baker's hire.
Baker is a member of the Junior League of Washington, D.C. She also volunteers at the Folger Shakespeare Library.
Baker earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from McDaniel College, formerly Western Maryland College, in Westminster, Md.
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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 110,600 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.
To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer website, www.FamilyDoctor.org.
