Lori Heim, M.D., Chosen President-Elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians

SAN DIEGO – Lori J. Heim, M.D., FAAFP, a family physician in private practice in Vass, North Carolina, has been chosen president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Previously, she served three years as a member of the AAFP Board of Directors. The AAFP represents more than 93,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. Heim was elected to the position by the Congress of Delegates, the AAFP’s governing body, during the organization’s annual meeting here.

As president-elect of the AAFP, Heim advocates on behalf of family physicians and patients nationwide to inspire positive change in the U.S. health care system. In addition, she serves on the board of managers of TransforMED LLC, an $8 million initiative of the AAFP focused on transformative medical practice redesign. In this role, Heim works with other members of the board of managers to approve and oversee the TransforMED operating budget, and goals and performance measures to assure consistency with the AAFP’s budgeted capital contributions to the new business entity.

A member of the AAFP since 1985, Heim served as a delegate to the AAFP’s Congress of Delegates from 2000 to 2004. She served on the Commission on Health Care Services and on the Task Force of Linkages to Practice Improvement. In addition, she held the offices of president, vice president, newsletter editor and member of the board of directors of the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians.

Heim earned her bachelor’s degree with honors from Portland State University, Oregon, and was then commissioned in the Air Force and earned her medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md. She completed her residency at the Family Medicine Residency, Andrews Air Force Base, Md. She completed a fellowship in faculty development and research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Heim’s appointments with the Air Force included staff physician, clinic chief, residency director, assistant professor, university health center director, chief of the medical staff and commander. She was stationed internationally in Turkey and domestically in Washington, D.C., Florida, North Carolina and Washington state. She retired as a colonel from the Air Force after 25 years of service.

Heim is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and has the AAFP Degree of Fellow, an earned degree awarded to family physicians for distinguished service and continuing medical education.

Heim’s private practice includes active office and hospital privileges, including work in the intensive care unit.

Heim has lectured worldwide and is published in peer-reviewed journals. She participated in humanitarian missions and volunteered in medical clinics in underserved communities. She has received numerous decorations including the Air Force Meritorious Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Her awards include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Humanitarian Service Award and the National Defense Service Award.