AAFP commissions: Help shape the future of family medicine

The Commission on Continuing Professional Development (COCPD) works directly to support the AAFP's strategic objective on continuing professional development (CPD) by supporting the lifelong learning of family physician members and other health care professionals. The goals of the commission are to guide the AAFP's credit system and the AAFP’s provision of continuing medical education that helps members and other health care professionals demonstrate continuous improvement in knowledge, competence, practice performance and patient outcomes, as well as fulfill the educational requirements for licensure and certification.

The COCPD’s priority areas of attention include:

1. AAFP CME accreditation (of various credit categories)
   a. Oversee periodic review of AAFP CME credit requirements to reaffirm, or if appropriate, recommend changes or enhancements to said requirements.
   b. Oversee the review of applications for AAFP CME credit to evaluate whether the application for credit should be approved or denied.
   c. Interact with other entities when appropriate to collaborate on matters pertaining to scope of work, such as educational aspects of the AAFP’s requirements for membership re-election.
2. Development, presentation, maintenance and refinement of existing and novel CME/CPD delivery methods and modalities.
3. CME/CPD aspects of continuing board certification (formerly maintenance of certification) and maintenance of licensure (MOL), including self-assessment and lifelong learning, assessment of knowledge and skill, and improvement of performance in practice. This can include discussion and collaboration with colleagues affiliated with other accreditation systems, regulatory entities, certifying and licensing boards and other oversight bodies.
4. AAFP CME/CPD educational strategy and plan. The plan defines the scope of topics for which educational activities are designed to ensure that AAFP CME activities are evidence based and designed to address gaps in professional practice performance as determined through needs assessments conducted as a fundamental part of CME activity planning.
5. Oversight of the planning, provision and evaluation of all AAFP-provided CME activities, including sessions offered through the Family Medicine Experience (FMX) annual meeting, national courses, procedure workshops, journals and subscriptions, and other means.

Commission service overview

Members serve a two-year term with an option for one two-year extension. Members of the COCPD meet twice each year, January or February in-person, along with other commissions in Kansas City, and in June virtually. COCPD members also participate throughout the year in fulfilling the commission’s responsibilities. This can include document review and discussion via social media; participation in conference calls, webinars and various work groups; and representing the commission on the AAFP’s cross-commission committees, and so on, as needed.

Note: The COCPD executive committee (specifically, the chair and third- or fourth-year commission members), will be independent of conflicts of interest (COI) during their time of tenure as defined in the AAFP policy “COCPD leaders and CME activity leads have no COI.”

Reimbursement

The Commission on Finance and Insurance (CFI) establishes reimbursement policies for commission members. Members are reimbursed:

• A per diem payment when traveling or attending meetings or other events on behalf of the commission.
• Actual travel expenses up to the cost of the lowest refundable coach airfare, as well as parking for a personal vehicle and/or transportation between home and airport and airport and meeting sites.

Interested?

If you are interested in nominating yourself for this commission:

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission nomination form (available July 15–October 15 each year).

If you are interested in nominating yourself for commission chair (in your final year of service on the commission):

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission chair nomination form (available May 15–August 15 each year).

Members

Tonya Bradley, MD (AL)- Chair

Term to Expire in 2026

• Monica Parker, MD (GA)
• David Gregory, MD (VA)
• Jedda Rupert, MD (US)
• Romero Santiago, MD (IL)
• Christina Cavanagh, MD (FL)
• Rachel Klamo, DO (MI)
• Madie Hartman, DO (PA)
• Benjamin Silverberg, MD (WV)
• Julie Ngo, MD, Resident Representative
• Devan Woody, Student Representative
• Brent Smith, MD, Board Liaison

Term to Expire in 2027

• Aaron Lanik, MD (NE)
• Rodney Erickson, MD (WI)
• Salvatore Bernardo, MD (NJ)
• Alexandra Sharp, MD (MN)
• Avinash Mantha., MD (IL)
• Samrah Mansoor, MD (KS)
• Jocelyn Young, DO (NY)
• Xinuo Gao, MD (NH)

Staff

• Elizabeth Campbell - Staff Executive
• Amy Smith, MBA - Assistant Staff Executive
• Zach Porting - Recording Secretary

The Commission on Federal and State Policy (CFSP) informs and guides the Academy's federal advocacy program and the AAFP’s support for constituent chapters in their advocacy efforts before state governments. Commission members participate in the following regular activities within the commission’s scope of work:

• Analysis of state and federal legislative and regulatory policy issues impacting family physicians, patients and the health care system.
• Provide recommendations for potential revisions to state and federal legislative and regulatory policy issues that would have a positive impact on family physicians, patients and the health care system.
• Produce white papers and policy position statements aimed at informing and influencing legislative and regulatory policies at the state and federal levels.
• Collaborate with reference committees at the COD to provide expert analysis of proposed resolutions and their alignment with and impact on AAFP legislative and regulatory policies objectives.
• Review resolutions approved by the COD, NCCL and the Student and Resident Congress.
• Five-year review of relevant AAFP policies.

The work priorities of the commission would be established by one of two pathways:

1. AAFP Board of Directors – The AAFP Board of Directors may direct the CFSP to engage in a project via its deliberative process.
2. AAFP Board Chair – State chapters, other AAFP commissions, AAFP members or AAFP staff may submit a request that the CFSP engage in a project to the AAFP Board Chair for consideration and decision. Recommendations would be submitted to the AAFP CEO for consideration by the AAFP Board Chair.

Each project must adhere to the following criteria:

• Direct impact on family physicians and/or the patient care provided by family physicians
• Direct association with an existing or proposed state and/or federal law or regulation
• Have broad impact on family physicians (i.e., not a single-state issue)
• Provide a minimum of six months for delivery of final product

CFSP provides oversight of the member interest group (MIG) listed below. The MIG can bring forward recommendations for consideration by CFSP.

• Single Payer Health Care MIG

Commission service overview

Members serve a two-year term with an option for one two-year extension. Members of the CFSP meet twice each year, January or February in-person along, with other commissions in Kansas City, and in June virtually. Commission members are expected to attend the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (FMAS) and the State Legislative Conference (SLC).

One member of the CFSP is assigned to attend the American Medical Association’s state legislative strategy meeting, lasting for three days in January. The commission has a liaison to the FamMedPAC Advisory Board and to the Single Payer Health Care MIG. Finally, the commission chair designates a member to participate on the AAFP’s working group on rural health (WGRH), which generally meets before the winter cluster of commission meetings in Kansas City.

Reimbursement

The CFI establishes reimbursement policies for commission members. Members are reimbursed:

• A per diem payment when traveling or attending meetings or other events on behalf of the commission.
• Actual travel expenses up to the cost of the lowest refundable coach airfare, as well as parking for a personal vehicle and/or transportation between home and airport and airport and meeting sites.

Interested?

If you are interested in nominating yourself for this commission:

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission nomination form (available July 15–October 15 each year).

If you are interested in nominating yourself for commission chair (in your final year of service on the commission):

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission chair nomination form (available May 15–August 15 each year).

Members

Andrea DeSantis, DO (NC) - Chair

Term to Expire in 2026

• Beth Lawson Oller, MD (KS)
• Bobbie Jo Sperry, MD (VA)
• Eric Sullivan, MD (IL)
• Isaiah Cochran, MD (FL)
• Dieter Kreckel, MD (ME)
• Thomas Evans, MD (SC)
• Dominique Quincy, MD (CA)
• Rachel Dunn, MD, Resident Representative
• Hanna Warmflash, Student Representative
• Samantha Ledbetter, MD, Resident Representative
• Shannon Dowler, MD, Board Liaison
• Kathleen Mueller, MD, Board Liaison

Term to Expire in 2027

• Katharina de Klerk, DO (RI)
• Jennifer Gholson, MD (MS)
• Beena Nagappala, MD (MI)
• Donna Roxanna Jones, MD (AK)
• Sara Alice Martin, MD (CA)
• Patrick Connolly, MD (ME)
• Melonie Proctor, DO (KY)
• Alex McDonald, MD (CA)
• Christopher Van Hise, MD (LA)

Staff

• David Tully - Staff Executive
• Krista Lipson, Recording Secretary

The Commission on Education (COE) provides a venue for the development of recommended policy and the dissemination of expertise and new information related to the education and professional development of family physicians until completion of the residency training period. Its priority areas of attention include:

Workforce

• Support the pathway of family physician development, from generating early interest in family medicine careers to spreading effective policy that builds a diverse and robust family medicine workforce.
• Inform and monitor the development, implementation and evaluation of targeted AAFP strategies that lead to student choice of family medicine and sufficient output of family physicians at a rate and distribution that is consistent with the organizational aims and informed by data of public needs.

Student interest/student choice

• Support an understanding of the factors that contribute to student pursuit of family medicine careers.
• Facilitate the portfolio of interventions used to promote family medicine careers including communications, admissions/pathway, role models/mentors, educational opportunities, Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs), and medical education policy and financing.

Student and resident issues

• Protect the interests and well-being of all students and residents, including fellows in training, as learners and developing professionals.
• Cultivate the leadership development of students and residents.
• Increase AAFP student and resident member engagement and competency in addressing health disparities, building health equity and improving population health.
• Monitor and advise the board on the impact of changes in the resident and student clinical learning environment and provide recommendations regarding pertinent AAFP policy.
• Facilitate the screening process for appointing resident and student members to AAFP and other leadership positions.

Curriculum

• Promote innovation in residency training to meet the needs of the communities family physicians serve.
• Collaborate with the academic community to develop and maintain updated curriculum tools and resources that support quality family medicine education.
• Maintain updated eecommended curriculum guidelines for family medicine residencies.

National Conference

• Assist withthe planning and evaluation of FUTURE (formerly called the National Conference for Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students), paying particular attention to the nature and range of education sessions.
• Cultivate leadership competencies and provide experiences for aspiring and developing family physicians.
• Provide a supportive environment to nurture networking.

Education awards

• Recognize the exemplary contributions to the discipline of family medicine through its educators by collecting nominees and making recommendations for national awards.

The COE provides oversight of several of the MIGs listed below. The MIGs can bring forward recommendations for consideration by COE. As of this date, the MIGs include:

• Point-of-Care Ultrasound MIG
• Emergency Medicine/Urgent Care MIG

Commission service overview

Members serve a two-year term with an option for one two-year extension. Members of the COE meet twice each year, January or February in-person, along with other commissions in Kansas City, and in June virtually.

Reimbursement

The CFI establishes reimbursement policies for commission members. Members are reimbursed:

• A per diem payment when traveling or attending meetings or other events on behalf of the commission.
• Actual travel expenses up to the cost of the lowest refundable coach airfare, as well as parking for a personal vehicle and/or transportation between home and airport and airport and meeting sites.

Interested?

If you are interested in nominating yourself for this commission:

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission nomination form (available July 15–October 15 each year).

If you are interested in nominating yourself for commission chair (in your final year of service on the commission):

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission chair nomination form (available May 15–August 15 each year).

Members

Jeffrey Hostetter, MD (ND)- Chair

Term to Expire in 2026

• Loren Colson, DO (ID)
• Daniel Lewis, MD, FAAFP (TN)
• Lindsay Liles, MD (LA)
• Joyce Folashade Robert, MD (DE)
• Lauren Simon, MD (CA)
• Theresa Vu, MD (CA)
• David Park, DO (MT)
• Andrew Slattengren, DO (MN)
• Matthew Adkins, DO (OH)
• Carissa Lum, MD, Resident Representative
• Cloe Warpinski, Student Representative
• Elisabeth Fowlie Mock, MD, Board Liaison
• Payal Morari, Board Liaison

Term to Expire in 2027

• Manju Mahajan, MD (MA)
• Jessica Triche, MD (NC)
• Mark Nadeau, MD, MBA (TX)
• Jason Woloski, MD (PA)
• Anne Morris, MD (VT)
• Fonda Gravino, MD (CT)
• Melody Jordahl-Iafrato, MD (IN)
• Stefanie Beard, MD (IL)

Staff

• Karen Mitchell, MD - Staff Executive
• Adam Bradley, Assistant Staff Executive
• Heather Walter - Recording Secretary

The Commission on Health of the Public and Science (CHPS) conducts work that is constant, diverse and significant.

CHPS regularly processes referrals from the following AAFP entities: the AAFP Board of Directors, COD, NCCL and NCFMR.

CHPS members are often chosen to serve as AAFP representatives on national panels and programs external to the AAFP that guide the development of health policies that define standards of care in practice. These national-level efforts have far-reaching implications as the clinical evidence helps define both quality performance metrics for practices and payment for evidence-based care.

CHPS is often tasked with developing or updating position statements in response to media inquiries and current events, thus supporting the AAFP’s Board of Directors and representing the membership as it addresses the nation’s most pressing health concerns. CHPS also supports longitudinal campaigns that are the joint products of AAFP’s collaboration with partner organizations, such as the women’s preventive services initiative.

CHPS provides oversight of several MIGs listed below. The MIGs can bring forward recommendations for consideration by CHPS.

• Adolescent Health MIG
• Breastfeeding MIG
• Climate Change and Environmental Health MIG
• Global Health MIG
• Integrative Medicine MIG
• Lifestyle Medicine MIG
• Medical Aid in Dying MIG
• Obesity MIG
• Obstetrics MIG
• Reproductive Health Care MIG
• Physicians for Life MIG
• Wilderness Medicine MIG

Commission service overview

Members serve a two-year term with an option for one two-year extension. Members of the CHPS meet twice each year, January or February in-person, along with other commissions in Kansas City, and in June virtually.

CHPS has two subcommittees, each chaired by an appointed commission member. Each commission member typically serves on one subcommittee and may also participate in AAFP cross-commission work groups, MIGs and in advisory roles.

1. Subcommittee on clinical recommendations and policies (SCRP): Responsibilities include evaluating proposed and current clinical preventive service guidelines to determine relevance and value to members and our patients. Responsibilities also include evaluating proposed and current clinical practice guidelines on diagnosing and managing acute and chronic diseases of patients. Often these activities are collaborative efforts involving other national medical societies, quality improvement organizations and work groups.
2. Subcommittee on public health issues (SPHI): Responsibilities include evaluating and recommending policies touching broad topics of health that affect populations (e.g., social determinants of health, gun violence, disaster preparedness, tobacco cessation, climate change, etc.)

Reimbursement

The CFI establishes reimbursement policies for commission members. Members are reimbursed:

• A per diem payment when traveling or attending meetings or other events on behalf of the commission.
• Actual travel expenses up to the cost of the lowest refundable coach airfare, as well as parking for a personal vehicle and/or transportation between home and airport and airport and meeting sites.

Interested?

If you are interested in nominating yourself for this commission:

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission nomination form (available July 15–October 15 each year).

If you are interested in nominating yourself for commission chair (in your final year of service on the commission):

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission chair nomination form (available May 15–August 15 each year).

Members

Danielle Carter, MD (FL) - Chair

Term to Expire in 2026

• Didi Ebert, DO (TX)
• Ambar Kulshreshtha, MD (GA)
• Kristina Laguerre, MD (PA)
• Delicia Pruitt, MD (MI)
• Nash Witten, MD (HI)
• Julia Flax, MD (MO)
• Mary Nquyen, MD (TX)
• Kristy Riniker, MD (NM)
• Urvashi Pandit, DO, Resident Representative
• Breanna Chachere, Student Representative
• Derek Southwick, MD, Board Liaison
• Douglas Spotts, MD, Board Liaison

Term to Expire in 2027

• Jo Marie Reilly, MD (CA)
• Kathleen Meehan-de la Cruz, MD (OH)
• Deepalakshmi Rajakrishnan, MD (TX)
• Faihza Hill, MD, MS, MPH (AR)
• Llewellyn Mensah, MD (NC)
• Laura Porterfield, MD (TX)
• Mary Noel, MD (US)
• Diana Wohler, MD (RI)

Staff

• Jordan Malone, Staff Executive
• Michael Monroe, Assistant Staff Executive
• Carol Ivers, Recording Secretary

The Commission on Finance and Insurance (CFI) is a standing commission of the AAFP as provided for in the AAFP bylaws (Article XIII, Section 1). It reviews various matters of the Academy both as routine charges of the commission and upon referral from the board, other commissions/committees or the COD. Commission members gain a very thorough understanding of Academy structure and function by review and participation in the budget process. All actions of the CFI (except for the member reimbursement policies) are referred to the AAFP Board of Directors for final action. Responsibilities that fall under the commission’s scope of work include:

1. Financial performance – Monitors the Academy’s financial performance, provides ongoing financial and budgetary advice and arranges for an annual audit of the financial statements by a licensed certified public accountant.
2. Budget – Reviews and recommends the annual budget for the AAFP Board of Directors' approval. Recommends member dues amounts to the board for their approval.
3. Reimbursement of member honoraria and expense – As stated in the bylaws, the CFI establishes the reimbursement policy for those representing the Academy on official business, including officers, members of the AAFP Board of Directors, members of commissions and committees, and other similar organizational entities.
4. Investments – Reviews and advises on the Academy’s investment policy, including asset allocations, manager or fund selection and performance monitoring.
5. Member insurance services – Investigate, develop and maintain programs of insurance and investments for the protection and benefit of Academy members and to encourage enrollment in AAFP Insurance Services, Inc. insurance and investment programs.

Commission service overview

The commission consists of nine members, plus the board liaison. Members are appointed by the AAFP Board of Directors to serve a four-year term. The chair of the commission is also selected by the AAFP Board of Directors and may be either a current member of the commission serving the last year of their term or a member of the commission whose term is expiring. The executive committee of the commission is selected by the chair of the commission each year and functions in place of the commission when matters require action and it is impractical to assemble the entire commission.

The commission meets once a year at the Academy’s headquarters, normally in April. Each meeting is normally one and a half days long (Friday and Saturday). Agendas are provided approximately a week in advance of the meeting for review and preparation for the meeting. A new member orientation is held at the beginning of the meeting.

The commission also meets virtually in September and November to review the year-to-date investment results and other commission business. Infrequently, the commission or its executive committee may have the need for another conference call to discuss various issues.

The chair of the commission also attends a budget review session each spring.

Reimbursement

The CFI establishes reimbursement policies for commission members. Members are reimbursed:

• A per diem payment when traveling or attending meetings or other events on behalf of the commission.
• Actual travel expenses up to the cost of the lowest refundable coach airfare, as well as parking for a personal vehicle and/or transportation between home and airport and airport and meeting sites.

Interested?

If you are interested in nominating yourself for this commission:

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission nomination form (available July 15–October 15 each year).

If you are interested in nominating yourself for commission chair (in your final year of service on the commission):

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission chair nomination form (available May 15–August 15 each year).

Members

Henry Griffin Cupstid, MD (SC) - Chair

Term to Expire in 2026

• John Gerguis, MD (GA)
• Deborah Fittberner, MD (MN)
• Jane Simpson, DO, Board Liaison

Term to Expire in 2027

• Robin Mae Motter, DO, MBA, CPE (MD)
• Beverly Flowers Jordan, MD (AL)

Term to Expire in 2028

• Beverly Ann Townsend, MD (GA)
• Touissant L’Overture Mears-Clarke, MD (CA)

Term to Expire in 2029

• Saby Karuppiah, MD (KS)
• Christina Wells, MD (IL)

Staff

• Charlotte Kerner, CPA - Staff Executive
• Jenny Clemons - Assistant Staff Executive
• Carla Scarborough - Recording Secretary

The Commission on Membership and Member Services (CMMS) guides the AAFP’s membership efforts and assists the chapters in their membership efforts. CMMS members may also be called upon during their term for decisions or input on issues that fall under the commission’s scope of work as outlined below:

1. Recruitment/retention – Review/update membership eligibility requirements as necessary
2. Value of membership – Help define the value of membership
3. Member services – Review potential new member services
4. Life-stage career issues – Address issues of importance to members at all stages of their career
5. Special needs – Address special needs of the membership as they arise
6. Awards – Oversee the AAFP awards program, including review of existing awards and development of potential new awards
7. International membership – Review/update benefits provided to international members
8. Urban/rural membership issues – Address issues of importance to members practicing in urban/rural areas
9. Degree of Fellow – Administration and promotion of the Degree of Fellow
10. Member constituencies (i.e., National Conference of Constituency Leaders [NCCL]) – Address issues of importance affecting members and their patients that are part of the AAFP’s member constituencies population, including women; Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC); new physicians; international medical graduates (IMGs); and LGBTQ+ individuals.
11. NCCL planning – Oversight of the National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL)
12. Chapter relations (Annual Chapter Leader Forum [ACLF]) – Address issues impacting chapters and oversight of the ACLF
13. Leadership development – Oversight of leadership development opportunities for members, chapter leaders and chapter staff
14. Member interest groups (MIGs) – Oversight of the MIG application process and conduct annual review of all MIGs
15. Monitor membership trends – Review membership trends and data and note any areas of concern that should be addressed

In addition, the commission may be asked for input on other issues, including:

• Dues reduction appeals
• Membership issues and programs

Commission service overview

Members serve a two-year term with an option for one two-year extension. Members of the CMMS meet twice each year, January or February in-person, along with other commissions in Kansas City, and in June virtually.

Members are expected to attend all meetings and stay for the entire meeting, participate on conference calls and complete group assignments. Members should read the meeting agenda and study the issues prior to the meeting.

Commission members are not expected to attend the ACLF or the NCCL. The commission chair is expected to attend the COD and Family Medicine Experience (FMX) during their term as chair.

Reimbursement

The CFI establishes reimbursement policies for commission members. Members are reimbursed:

• A per diem payment when traveling or attending meetings or other events on behalf of the commission.
• Actual travel expenses up to the cost of the lowest refundable coach airfare, as well as parking for a personal vehicle and/or transportation between home and airport and airport and meeting sites.

Interested?

If you are interested in nominating yourself for this commission:

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission nomination form (available July 15–October 15 each year).

If you are interested in nominating yourself for commission chair (in your final year of service on the commission):

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission chair nomination form (available May 15–August 15 each year).

Members

Janelle Marra, DO (US) - Chair

Term to Expire in 2026

• Tamara McGregor, MD, (TX)
• Rachel Franklin, MD (OK)
• Catherine Khoo, MD (CA)
• Syed Naseeruddin, MD (KY)
• Missy Deeter, Chapter Staff
• Jorge Cervantes, MD (CA)
• Lalita Abhyankar, MD (CA)
• Chase Mussard, MD (TN)
• Ronald Slipman, MD (LA)
• Grace Kelly, MD, Resident Representative
• Sarah Gonzales, Student Representative
• Amanda Lilley, Student Representative
• Tracy Hendershot, MD, Board Liaison
• Jeffrey Zavala, MD, Board Liaison

Term to Expire in 2027

• Tasha Nicole Starks, MD, MPH (AR)
• James Russell Bell, MD (IA)
• Andrew Symons, MD (NY)
• Astrud San Antonio Villareal, MD (TX)
• Marti Taba, MD (HI)
• Martha Simmons, MD (PA)
• Joseph Perez, MD (US)
• Cynthia Chen-Joea, DO (CA)

Staff

• Alex Rice, Staff Executive
• Marlena Mason, Assistant Staff Executive
• Tammy Underwood, Recording Secretary

The Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness in Family Medicine (CDEI-FM) leverages diversity, equity inclusiveness and antiracism lenses to inform and guide the AAFP's recommendations, policies and work addressing disparities in care, health and workforce. The goals of the commission are to inform, develop, promote and evaluate recommendations, policies and procedures that promote health equity, reduce health disparities and foster inclusive person-centered care across a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Underrepresented in medicine (URIM)
• Gender
• LGBTQ+
• Ability (including physician ability)
• Workforce diversity
• Health equity/social justice
• Anti-racism in medicine

The CDEI-FM members serve as liaisons to other AAFP commissions and as a collaborative partner with AAFP’s Center for Diversity and Health Equity on appropriate projects such as The EveryOne Project™. CDEI-FM does not have subcommittees at this time, but it implements ad-hoc working groups as needed to address AAFP resolutions.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of CDEI-FM members to:

• Attend meetings
  • Two meetings per year of up to three and a half days duration
  • Participate in virtual meetings, as needed
  • Prepare for meetings by reading agenda materials and studying issues
  • Lead discussions on pre-assigned agenda topics
  • Listen and contribute meaningfully and respectfully during meetings
• Serve on other commissions as active liaisons and provide updates to the CDEI-FM on behalf of other commissions
• Complete commission work between meetings
  • Participate in email and/or conference call discussions
  • Meet agreed-upon deadlines for assignments
• Respond to listserv and other electronic communications in a timely manner
• Participate in cross-commission committees, and working groups, as needed
• Provide expertise and experience in the scope-of-work subject matter
• Complete a conflict of interest and disclosure statement annually.

CDEI-FM provides oversight of the MIG listed below. The MIG can bring forward recommendations for consideration by CDEI-FM.

• Intersectionality in Health Care MIG

Commission service overview

Members of the CDEI-FM meet twice each year (January/February and May/June, with meeting months varying each year), in addition to conference calls scheduled on an as-needed basis. Members are expected to be effective participants, working closely with the commission chair. Members are expected to attend all meetings and stay for the entire meeting, and they are expected to participate on all conference calls and complete the work and/or group assignments. It is expected that all members will have read the meeting agenda and will have studied the issues prior to the scheduled meetings.

The commission launched in 2022 with 10 members and will grow incrementally through 2024 to a total of 22 members. Commission members are appointed by the AAFP Board of Directors. During its inaugural year, the AAFP Board of Directors appointed to the commission one resident and one student for terms ending in 2023. Afterward, a new resident and student were appointed to the commission for one-year terms. Beginning in December 2022, commission members were appointed for a two-year term with the option of one two-year extension. The AAFP Board of Directors selected Dr. Ada Stewart to serve as the chair of CDEI-FM through 2024.

Reimbursement

The CFI establishes reimbursement policies for commission members. Members are reimbursed:

• A per diem payment when traveling or attending meetings or other events on behalf of the commission.
• Actual travel expenses up to the cost of the lowest refundable coach airfare, as well as parking for a personal vehicle and/or transportation between home and airport and airport and meeting sites.

Interested?

If you are interested in nominating yourself for this commission:

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission nomination form (available July 15–October 15 each year).

If you are interested in nominating yourself for commission chair (in your final year of service on the commission):

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission chair nomination form (available May 15–August 15 each year).

Members

Shana Ntiri, MD (MD) - Chair

Term to Expire in 2026

• Louise Merrigan, Chapter Staff (OR)
• Yadira Acevedo, MD (CT)
• Martina Kamaka, MD (HI)
• Antoin Marcus Alexander, MD (US)
• Alicia Wong, MD (CO)
• Ivonne McLean, MD (NY)
• James Huang, MD (DC)
• Shannon Connolly, MD (CA)
• Christen Johnson, MD (OH)
• Alexandra White, DO (SD)
• Marshala Lee-McCall, MD (DE)
• Wayne Forde, MD (OH)
• Florence Yuan, MD (CA)
• Robyn Liu, MD, Board Liaison
• Raekwon Timmons, DO, Resident Representative
• Aasha Henderson, Student Representative

Term to Expire in 2027

• Michael Anthony Cory (CA)
• Camellia Kolyeni, MD (TN)
• Josette Palmer, MD (NJ)
• Adena Hicks, MD (GA)
• Cathy Canty, MD (ID)
• Rashmi Rode, MD (TX)
• Karen Antell, MD (DE)
• Kodie Stem, MD (PA)

Staff

• Todd Moore, Assistant Staff Executive
• Ruaa Hassaballa, Recording Secretary

The Commission on Quality and Practice (CQP) works to improve the practice environment of family physicians. It directly supports the following AAFP strategic objectives: increase payment to reflect contribution; comprehensiveness of practice; reduce administrative complexity; help to optimize patient care via technology. The commission studies and develops recommendations, policies and programs for family medicine in the following areas:

• Administrative burden
• Emerging technologies and health data use
• Health care delivery models
• Health information technology
• Performance measurement
• Physician employment
• Physician payment
• Practice environment
• Practice management
• Practice transformation
• Private sector advocacy
• Quality improvement
• Scope of practice and privileging

The CQP provides oversight of several MIGs listed below. The MIGs can bring forward recommendations for consideration by CQP.

• Direct Primary Care MIG
• EMR Optimization MIG
• Employed Physician MIG
• Home-based Primary Care MIG
• Hospital Medicine MIG
• Independent Solo/Small Group Practice MIG
• Telehealth MIG

Commission service overview

Members serve a two-year term with an option for one two-year extension. Members of the CQP meet twice each year, January or February in-person, along with other commissions in Kansas City, and in June virtually.

Reimbursement

The CFI establishes reimbursement policies for commission members. Members are reimbursed:

• A per diem payment when traveling or attending meetings or other events on behalf of the commission.
• Actual travel expenses up to the cost of the lowest refundable coach airfare, as well as parking for a personal vehicle and/or transportation between home and airport and airport and meeting sites.

Interested?

If you are interested in nominating yourself for this commission:

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission nomination form (available July 15–October 15 each year).

If you are interested in nominating yourself for commission chair (in your final year of service on the commission):

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online commission chair nomination form (available May 15–August 15 each year).

Members

Timothy Switaj, MD (PA) - Chair

Term to Expire in 2026

• Kenneth Adler, MD (AZ)
• Betsy Gilbertson, MD (MN)
• Michael Hanak, MD, FAAFP (IL)
• Tate Hinkle, MD (AL)
• Janet Hurley, MD (TX)
• Michelle Ramsay, MD (FL)
• Shani Ife Muhammad, MD (CA)
• Jason Matuszak, MD (NY)
• Chad Spain, MD (UT)
• Sheryl Fuehrer, MD, Resident Representative
• Molly Stegman, Student Representative
• Sarah Sams, MD, Board Liaison

Term to Expire in 2027

• Kami S. Phillips, MD (MA)
• Zachary Reese Sartor, MD (TX)
• Lucille Killgore, Chapter Staff
• Kimberly Becher, MD (WV)
• Rade Pejis, MD (LA)
• Leah Werner, MD (OR)
• Olusunmisola Oyesiku, MD (AL)
• Ann Tseng, MD (OR)
• Joanne Leovy, MD (NV)

Staff

• Tracey Allen-Ehrhart, Staff Executive
• Brennan Cantrell, Assistant Staff Executive
• Shawna Swaffar, Recording Secretary

Effective beginning with December 15, 2022 commission appointments

As part of our ongoing efforts to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our work, we reviewed our leadership and governance structure and identified opportunities to expand engagement to a larger number of family physicians and remove barriers to participation. We are making the changes outlined below to the structure of commissions to expand inclusiveness of commission membership. These changes do not apply to the CFI.

The AAFP Board of Directors, at the recommendation of the Subcommittee on Screening, chooses members to present to the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). From these board-selected nominees, one is selected by the ABFM Board of Directors at its annual meeting in April. Once selected to serve on the ABFM Board, the nominee represents the interest of the ABFM rather than the AAFP.

Nominations, including self-nominations, for the ABFM Director position are solicited from the AAFP Board of Directors, current commission chairs and commission members, chapter presidents and executives, current AAFP American Medical Association (AMA) delegation members, and past officers and directors.

A deadline of October 15 is specified for receipt of nominations to allow time to process the forms for consideration by the AAFP Board of Directors at its December meeting.

Members of the AMA House of Delegates serve as an important communication, policy and membership link between the AMA and grassroots physicians. The AMA delegate/alternate delegate is a key source of information on activities, programs and policies of the AMA. The delegate/alternate delegate is also a direct contact for the individual member to communicate with and contribute to the formulation of AMA policy positions, the identification of situations that might be addressed through policy implementation efforts and the execution of AMA policies. Delegates and alternate delegates to the AMA are expected to foster a positive and useful two-way relationship between grassroots physicians and the AMA leadership.

The appointment process for the AMA delegation shares the same timeline as the commission member appointment process. In July of each year, a letter is forwarded to constituent chapter presidents and executives requesting nominations for commission appointments. Nominations from chapters should be recommendations from their board of directors or their executive committee, and not the recommendation of one or two officers. The Subcommittee on Screening values these letters of recommendations from chapter leadership. A deadline of October 15 is specified for receipt of nominations to allow time to process the forms for consideration by the AAFP Board of Directors at its December meeting.