Beverly Jordan, MD, FAAFP

My work as a family physician in rural Alabama has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and realities faced by our members and their patients. Every day, I listen to patients and families from all walks of life, synthesize their stories and advocate for their well-being. These skills directly translate to representing a diverse membership: hearing concerns, building consensus, and ensuring that Board decisions remain closely tied to the needs of practicing family physicians and their communities.

My years as vice speaker and speaker of the House of Delegates for the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, as well as my longstanding participation in the AAFP Congress of Delegates, have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of parliamentary procedure, governance and the importance of honoring every delegate’s voice. I am experienced in presiding over debate, facilitating discussion, and ensuring that all perspectives are considered—especially during times of complex or contentious decision-making. These skills are essential for gathering, clarifying and effectively conveying the consensus of Congress to the Board.

In addition, my leadership roles on state and national boards, AAFP commissions and collaborative practice committees have honed my ability to translate the will of a diverse body into actionable guidance for executive leadership. Through strategic planning, advocacy and financial stewardship, I have gained the tools to help ensure that the Board’s work reflects the priorities and values of our members.

As vice speaker, I would combine my clinical experience with my speaker leadership to amplify and faithfully represent the Congress’s views to the Board. My goal is to foster clarity, inclusivity, and authenticity in all communication—ensuring the Board’s direction is shaped by the real-world perspectives and needs of our members.

I believe my combination of real-world clinical experience, deep knowledge of organizational governance and proven commitment to collaborative leadership would be especially valuable to the AAFP membership in the role of vice speaker.

First, as a board-certified family physician practicing in rural Alabama, I understand the day-to-day realities facing family physicians and their patients. This perspective grounds my leadership approach in genuine advocacy and practical solutions tailored to the diverse needs of our members—whether they practice in metropolitan areas or under-resourced rural settings.

Second, with over two decades of engagement in organized medicine—including years as vice speaker and speaker of the House of Delegates for the Medical Association of the State of Alabama—I bring advanced skills in parliamentary procedure, consensus-building and leading deliberative bodies. I have successfully managed respectful and efficient debate among colleagues with diverse perspectives, ensuring that all voices are included and that outcomes reflect true member consensus. These experiences directly prepare me to support the speaker, maintain the integrity of the Congress of Delegates and faithfully translate its viewpoints to the Board.

Additionally, my leadership extends to state and national boards, AAFP commissions, committee chair roles and regulatory work in collaborative practice. Whether guiding legislative priorities, overseeing budgets or helping bridge the gap among different health professions, I bring experience building consensus and linking vision to actionable strategies—key attributes for effective advocacy at the Board level.

I am also deeply committed to mentorship, equity, and inclusion. Through service as a medical educator and mentor, I work to foster the next generation of physician leaders and ensure a broad, representative range of voices in our decision-making.

Ultimately, these experiences have made me a collaborative, pragmatic and solution-oriented leader who is prepared to listen, communicate and act on behalf of the entire AAFP membership. If elected, I would apply these skills to serve as a strong advocate for family physicians and ensure the voice of our Congress truly shapes the direction of our Board and our specialty.

If I were speaking to non-members, I would highlight these three outstanding strengths of the AAFP:

1. Advocacy for Family Physicians and Our Patients

AAFP is a powerful and respected voice for family medicine at the federal and state levels. Whether it’s leading efforts to reform payment models, addressing prior authorization burdens or securing resources for primary care and public health, AAFP consistently stands up for issues that directly impact our ability to serve our patients and communities. Our advocacy helps shape meaningful policy and ensures that family physicians are at the table as decisions affecting healthcare delivery are made.

2. Trusted Leadership in Practice Support, Education and Innovation

The AAFP offers members high-quality, timely, and practical resources that support clinical excellence and practice transformation. From continuing medical education that helps us stay current and meet our licensure needs, to innovative programming addressing telehealth, physician wellness and value-based care, the Academy is committed to helping family physicians succeed in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. These resources are curated with member needs in mind and adapt to new challenges in our field.

3. Community, Collaboration, and Professional Development

Membership in AAFP connects us to a national network of colleagues who share our values and commitment to patient care. Through the Congress of Delegates, commissions, special interest groups and networking opportunities, family physicians can exchange ideas, gain mentorship and work collectively to advance our specialty. The emphasis on inclusion, leadership development and support at every career stage makes AAFP not just an organization, but a professional home.

In summary, I firmly believe that AAFP’s advocacy, practice support and vibrant professional community make membership an invaluable investment in our career, our practice and the future of family medicine.

Addressing polarization, whether in the country or within our family medicine community, requires intentional leadership rooted in listening, respect and a commitment to common ground. If elected vice speaker, I would use my position to foster environments where every delegate feels heard and valued, and where policy debates remain focused on our shared mission: delivering high-quality care to patients and advancing the specialty of family medicine.

Throughout my leadership career, I have found that open dialogue, transparency and respect for different perspectives are essential. As vice speaker and speaker of the House of Delegates in Alabama, I routinely presided over proceedings where delegates held strong and often divergent positions on complex issues, including scope of practice, Medicaid expansion and evolving public health initiatives.

For example, while chairing the Alabama Joint Committee on Collaborative Practice—a group comprised of physicians, nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives—I led discussions around prescribing authority and collaborative arrangements, which were sources of real tension. By facilitating frank and respectful conversations, encouraging participants to articulate both shared and differing concerns and focusing on patient-centered solutions, our committee successfully shaped a set of regulations that balanced professional autonomy with safeguards for quality and safety. This compromise preserved trust among the professions and demonstrated the power of process, transparency and focusing on our mutual goal: better care for Alabamians.

As vice speaker, I would continue to create spaces for honest and inclusive debate, encourage members to reach across philosophical divides, and ensure that governance remains anchored in fairness and mutual respect. My experience shows that consensus is possible when we prioritize our common purpose over our differences, and I am ready to lead with this conviction.

The success of the AAFP five years from now will be determined by our ability to adapt, advocate and unite in an evolving health care landscape.

First, we must remain agile and innovative—continuously adapting to changing payment models, technology and the needs of a diverse patient population. Providing meaningful support to physicians as they navigate workforce shortages, regulatory changes and increasing demands will be critical.

Second, our advocacy must be strong, persistent, and relevant. We need to ensure that family physicians have a powerful voice in health policy discussions, that primary care is valued and supported, and that we fight for practice environments that enable us to deliver excellent care for every patient.

Third, and most importantly, our ability to unite as a community—bringing together members from all backgrounds, perspectives and practice settings—will define our influence and effectiveness. Success will require cultivating a sense of belonging and purpose, fostering leadership at all levels and ensuring that our organizational direction is informed by the voices of our members.

If we focus on innovation, strategic advocacy and inclusivity, the AAFP will not only meet the challenges ahead but also strengthen the role of family medicine at the heart of American health care.