Toledo Physician Elected to the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians

CHICAGO – Kenneth R. Bertka, M.D., FAAFP, CPHIMS, a family physician in Toledo, Ohio, has been elected to the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The AAFP represents nearly 94,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. Bertka was elected to a three-year term by the AAFP’s governing body, the Congress of Delegates.

Bertka spent 20 years in a five-physician family medicine practice which he founded and where he served as president. He recently assumed the position of chief medical information officer for Toledo-based Mercy Health Partners, where he continues to see patients. In addition, Dr. Bertka served six years as co-editor of Core Content Review of Family Medicine. Bertka’s career path affirms his commitment to working toward a re-engineering of the health care system for improved access to a medical home for all Americans.

A member of the AAFP since 1979, Bertka has served on and chaired numerous committees and commissions. He currently chairs the AAFP Commission on Membership and Member Services. He has also served on the AAFP Chapter Affairs Committee (including one year as chair) and the AAFP Committee on Scientific Program. Additionally, he has served in various capacities on AAFP projects relating to electronic health records, medically related computer classes and office computerization.

Dr. Bertka and his wife, Vicki (also a family physician), have been recognized for their substantial contributions to community organizations and family medicine. The couple was honored as AAFP Philanthropists of the Year in 2002 and Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Philanthropists of the Year in 2000. Bertka also volunteers as a Homeland Security Ohio Citizens Corps physician, Douglas Foundation Board member and as a presenter for the AAFP’s anti-tobacco program, Tar Wars.

Born and raised in Toledo, Bertka attended the University of Toledo where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biology. He earned his medical degree at the University of Cincinnati. Bertka returned home to complete his family medicine residency at the Medical College of Ohio/St. Vincent Medical Center where he served as chief resident. He also completed a family medicine faculty development fellowship at Michigan State University.