American Academy of Family Physicians Reaches Membership Milestone

LEAWOOD, Kan. — The American Academy of Family Physicians is pleased to announce that it currently represents 100,300 physicians and medical students nationwide. This marks the first time in the AAFP's 64-year history that membership has surpassed 100,000.

AAFP membership has grown from 97,600 in December 2010 to 100,300 in April 2011. Total membership consists of 63,400 active members, 9,900 resident members and 17,100 student members.

“Member physicians have come to trust the AAFP to support them throughout their career, beginning in medical school, and throughout their years of practice,” said AAFP President Roland Goertz, M.D. “Family physicians look to the AAFP to advocate on their behalf in the formation of health care policy; to enhance their practices and help them meet their career goals; to provide the latest in quality, innovative medical education; and to promote the health of the American public. A growing membership shows that our organization is working hard to fulfill those needs.”

The AAFP was founded in 1947 by a group of roughly 200 physicians to promote and maintain high quality standards for family doctors who are providing continuing comprehensive health care to the public.

Today, as one of the largest national medical organizations, the AAFP has members in 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the Uniformed Services.

“While primary care faces a number of challenges in today's health care landscape, family physicians are resilient. And it's only natural that an organization shares the same characteristics of its membership,” said Donna Valponi, vice president for Communications and Membership. “There is no greater champion for health care in America than the family physician. And there is no greater champion for the family physician than the AAFP.”