AAFP Board of Directors
Meet the family physicians who lead more than 124,000 students, residents and doctors.
AAFP’s Board of Directors goes back nearly 80 years to June 1947, when our organization was known as the American Academy of General Practice. Since then, the Board has helped shape the AAFP into what we know today.
The Board of Directors carries out activities and resolutions in between Congress of Delegates (COD) meetings and on behalf of family medicine and the COD. The Board, in turn, appoints commissions to help carry out its activities. Each year, Board members meet five times in person and up to two times virtually to accomplish the organization's business.
In addition to carrying out the directives of the COD, the Board is also responsible for a periodic review of non-clinical AAFP policy statements, strategic planning, board metric development and recommendations from the eight commissions.
Meet the Board of Directors
Sarah C. Nosal, MD, FAAFP
President
Sarah C. Nosal, MD, FAAFP, is vice president for innovation & optimization and chief medical information officer (CMIO) at The Institute for Family Health, a New York network with 27-plus locations in Mid-Hudson, Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn. Nosal's focus is on the care of marginalized communities, with two decades of practice in the south Bronx. She has served as medical director for NYU and Einstein student-run free clinics. As CMIO, she secured financial support for IT infrastructure and helped her institution become a regional leader in data sharing and ensuring equitable information access.
Sarah C. Nosal, MD, FAAFP, is vice president for innovation & optimization and chief medical information officer (CMIO) at The Institute for Family Health, a New York network with 27-plus locations in Mid-Hudson, Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn. Nosal's focus is on the care of marginalized communities, with two decades of practice in the south Bronx. She has served as medical director for NYU and Einstein student-run free clinics. As CMIO, she secured financial support for IT infrastructure and helped her institution become a regional leader in data sharing and ensuring equitable information access.
Kisha Davis, MD, MPH, FAAFP
President-Elect
Kisha Davis, MD, MPH, FAAFP, is the chief health officer for Montgomery County, Maryland. She previously served as vice president of health equity at Aledade. She was vice chair of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), advising Congress, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and states on Medicaid policy. Davis has served numerous roles within the AAFP, notably as new physician director and convener of the National Conference of Constituency Leaders. She is a past president of the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians.
Kisha Davis, MD, MPH, FAAFP, is the chief health officer for Montgomery County, Maryland. She previously served as vice president of health equity at Aledade. She was vice chair of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), advising Congress, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and states on Medicaid policy. Davis has served numerous roles within the AAFP, notably as new physician director and convener of the National Conference of Constituency Leaders. She is a past president of the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians.
Jennifer L. Brull, MD, FAAFP
Board Chair
Jen Brull, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician in Fort Collins, Colorado. She practiced family medicine in rural Kansas for more than 20 years and now serves as vice president of clinical engagement for Aledade, a company that partners with independent primary care physicians to succeed in value-based care.
Jen Brull, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician in Fort Collins, Colorado. She practiced family medicine in rural Kansas for more than 20 years and now serves as vice president of clinical engagement for Aledade, a company that partners with independent primary care physicians to succeed in value-based care.
Russell W. Kohl, MD, FAAFP
Speaker
Russell W. Kohl, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician living in Stilwell, Kansas, and a member of the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians. He is chief medical officer with TMF Health Quality Institute, a Medicare quality improvement organization serving Arkansas, Nebraska, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He also cares for patients with the non-profit Care Beyond the Boulevard, providing direct medical care to those living in homeless encampments throughout the Kansas City metro area, as well as serving as a Colonel, chief flight surgeon and state air surgeon in the Missouri Air National Guard.
Russell W. Kohl, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician living in Stilwell, Kansas, and a member of the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians. He is chief medical officer with TMF Health Quality Institute, a Medicare quality improvement organization serving Arkansas, Nebraska, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He also cares for patients with the non-profit Care Beyond the Boulevard, providing direct medical care to those living in homeless encampments throughout the Kansas City metro area, as well as serving as a Colonel, chief flight surgeon and state air surgeon in the Missouri Air National Guard.
Daron W. Gersch, MD, FAAFP
Vice Speaker
Daron W. Gersch, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician with CentraCare hospital in Long Prairie, Minnesota. He works full-time as the ER medical and trauma director and provides ER care at CentraCare-Long Prairie, Melrose and Sauk Centre hospitals. He also currently serves as the medical director at the nursing homes in Albany and Long Prairie, Minnesota. He was most recently on the PROTECT Initiative for the CDC and served on the medical review panel for familydoctor.org.
Daron W. Gersch, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician with CentraCare hospital in Long Prairie, Minnesota. He works full-time as the ER medical and trauma director and provides ER care at CentraCare-Long Prairie, Melrose and Sauk Centre hospitals. He also currently serves as the medical director at the nursing homes in Albany and Long Prairie, Minnesota. He was most recently on the PROTECT Initiative for the CDC and served on the medical review panel for familydoctor.org.
R. Shawn Martin
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer
R. Shawn Martin serves as the AAFP’s executive vice president and chief executive officer. He works with the AAFP Board of Directors on the mission, strategy and vision for the AAFP and provides representation to other organizations, including medical, public and private sectors. He also serves on the board of directors of the AAFP Foundation, the organization’s charitable arm.
R. Shawn Martin serves as the AAFP’s executive vice president and chief executive officer. He works with the AAFP Board of Directors on the mission, strategy and vision for the AAFP and provides representation to other organizations, including medical, public and private sectors. He also serves on the board of directors of the AAFP Foundation, the organization’s charitable arm.
Shannon Dowler, MD, CPE, FAAFP
Director
Shannon Dowler, MD, CPE, FAAFP, is a family physician in Marshall, North Carolina. She serves as an STI consultant in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of U.S. Health. She was previously the chief medical officer of North Carolina Medicaid, a $30 billion program responsible for three million patients. She has also maintained a teaching faculty appointment, prioritizing precepting and mentoring students and residents.
Shannon Dowler, MD, CPE, FAAFP, is a family physician in Marshall, North Carolina. She serves as an STI consultant in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of U.S. Health. She was previously the chief medical officer of North Carolina Medicaid, a $30 billion program responsible for three million patients. She has also maintained a teaching faculty appointment, prioritizing precepting and mentoring students and residents.
Tracy Hendershot, DC, MD, FAAFP
Director
Tracy Hendershot, DC, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He attended Marshall University and Palmer College of Chiropractic, later returning to Marshall for medical school after starting a chiropractic practice. Dr. Hendershot co-developed the Paul Ambrose Health Policy Fellowship and focused on state health policy, especially elder care. As CMO of Coplin Clinic, he advocated for legislation establishing Wirt County's only skilled nursing facility.
Tracy Hendershot, DC, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He attended Marshall University and Palmer College of Chiropractic, later returning to Marshall for medical school after starting a chiropractic practice. Dr. Hendershot co-developed the Paul Ambrose Health Policy Fellowship and focused on state health policy, especially elder care. As CMO of Coplin Clinic, he advocated for legislation establishing Wirt County's only skilled nursing facility.
Robyn Liu, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Director
Robyn Liu, MD, MPH, FAAFP, is a family physician in Portland Oregon, where she leads a large primary care clinic and helps improve community health. She has extensive experience caring for rural communities. Dr. Liu subsequently was a faculty member at Oregon Health and Science University, focusing on health policy, medical education and residency program administration. She earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Robyn Liu, MD, MPH, FAAFP, is a family physician in Portland Oregon, where she leads a large primary care clinic and helps improve community health. She has extensive experience caring for rural communities. Dr. Liu subsequently was a faculty member at Oregon Health and Science University, focusing on health policy, medical education and residency program administration. She earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Elisabeth Fowlie Mock, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Director
Elisabeth Fowlie Mock, MD, MPH, FAAFP, is a family physician in Bangor, Maine. She serves as a clinical and policy consultant for the Maine Prescription Monitoring Program in the state’s office of behavioral health. She has worked in several clinical settings, including outpatient and inpatient medicine, a public health clinic, maternity and pediatric care and urgent care.
Elisabeth Fowlie Mock, MD, MPH, FAAFP, is a family physician in Bangor, Maine. She serves as a clinical and policy consultant for the Maine Prescription Monitoring Program in the state’s office of behavioral health. She has worked in several clinical settings, including outpatient and inpatient medicine, a public health clinic, maternity and pediatric care and urgent care.
Kathleen N. Mueller, MD, FAAFP
Director
Kathleen N. Mueller, MD, FAAFP, serves as the system director for integrative medicine and cancer survivorship for Nuvance, a seven-hospital health system in Connecticut and southeastern New York. She is also the lead editor of Core Content Review of Family Medicine, a medical education program written by and for family physicians. Mueller speaks on health, wellness, preventive care and integrative medicine topics both regionally and nationally.
Kathleen N. Mueller, MD, FAAFP, serves as the system director for integrative medicine and cancer survivorship for Nuvance, a seven-hospital health system in Connecticut and southeastern New York. She is also the lead editor of Core Content Review of Family Medicine, a medical education program written by and for family physicians. Mueller speaks on health, wellness, preventive care and integrative medicine topics both regionally and nationally.
Sarah Sams, MD, FAAFP
Director
Sarah Sams, MD, FAAFP, is a board certified family physician, educator and advocate for family medicine. She is an associate director and full-time faculty member at Grant Family Medicine Residency in Columbus, Ohio where she provides full-spectrum family medicine care, including obstetrics and minor office-based procedures. She has trained more than 180 family medicine residents and helped showcase how bonds built through the patient-physician relationship are the true joy in family medicine.
Sarah Sams, MD, FAAFP, is a board certified family physician, educator and advocate for family medicine. She is an associate director and full-time faculty member at Grant Family Medicine Residency in Columbus, Ohio where she provides full-spectrum family medicine care, including obstetrics and minor office-based procedures. She has trained more than 180 family medicine residents and helped showcase how bonds built through the patient-physician relationship are the true joy in family medicine.
Brent Smith, MD, MSc, MLS, FAAFP
Director
Brent Smith, MD, MSc, MLS, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) and a member of its board of directors. The AAFP represents 128,300 physicians and medical students nationwide. Smith is a family physician in the Mississippi Delta. As an AAFP board member, he advocates on behalf of family physicians and patients to inspire positive change in the U.S. health care system.
Brent Smith, MD, MSc, MLS, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) and a member of its board of directors. The AAFP represents 128,300 physicians and medical students nationwide. Smith is a family physician in the Mississippi Delta. As an AAFP board member, he advocates on behalf of family physicians and patients to inspire positive change in the U.S. health care system.
Douglas Spotts, MD, FAAFP
Director
Douglas Spotts, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Juniata College and Penn State University College of Medicine and completed his residency at the Harrisburg Hospital Family Practice Residency in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Spotts established the Meritus Family Medicine Residency in 2019 and now teaches full-time at Penn State University’s MHA program and in clinical settings.
Douglas Spotts, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Juniata College and Penn State University College of Medicine and completed his residency at the Harrisburg Hospital Family Practice Residency in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Spotts established the Meritus Family Medicine Residency in 2019 and now teaches full-time at Penn State University’s MHA program and in clinical settings.
Jeffrey Zavala, MD, FAAFP
Director
Jeffery Zavala, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician in Billings, Montana. Zavala is an assistant professor of family medicine in the department of clinical sciences at Rocky Vista University Medical College of Montana in Billings. He has long been involved with the AAFP and state chapters with the goal of serving his fellow family physicians. He was previously the Montana/Northern Wyoming chief medical officer for the Medical Group for Intermountain Health and the chief medical officer for the medical group at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana.
Jeffery Zavala, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician in Billings, Montana. Zavala is an assistant professor of family medicine in the department of clinical sciences at Rocky Vista University Medical College of Montana in Billings. He has long been involved with the AAFP and state chapters with the goal of serving his fellow family physicians. He was previously the Montana/Northern Wyoming chief medical officer for the Medical Group for Intermountain Health and the chief medical officer for the medical group at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana.
Jane Simpson, DO
New Physician Member
Jane Simpson, DO, a family physician practicing in Watertown, New York, is the new physician member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Simpson was elected to a one-year term by the New Physician constituency during the AAFP National Conference of Constituency Leaders and was confirmed by the AAFP’s governing body, the Congress of Delegates.
Jane Simpson, DO, a family physician practicing in Watertown, New York, is the new physician member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Simpson was elected to a one-year term by the New Physician constituency during the AAFP National Conference of Constituency Leaders and was confirmed by the AAFP’s governing body, the Congress of Delegates.
Derek B. Southwick, MD
Resident Member
Derek B. Southwick, MD, is the resident physician member on the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. The AAFP represents 128,300 physicians and medical students nationwide. Southwick was elected to a one-year term by the National Congress of Family Medicine Residents and was confirmed by the governing body of the AAFP, the Congress of Delegates.
Derek B. Southwick, MD, is the resident physician member on the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. The AAFP represents 128,300 physicians and medical students nationwide. Southwick was elected to a one-year term by the National Congress of Family Medicine Residents and was confirmed by the governing body of the AAFP, the Congress of Delegates.
Payal Morari
Student Member
Payal Morari is the medical student member on the American Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors and is a fourth-year medical student at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Originally from Cerritos, California, Morari earned her Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from the University of Rochester.
Payal Morari is the medical student member on the American Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors and is a fourth-year medical student at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Originally from Cerritos, California, Morari earned her Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from the University of Rochester.
Conflict of Interest
In accordance with AAFP policy, members of the AAFP Board of Directors are required to provide AAFP with a statement regarding actual or potential conflicts of interest. Conflict of interest statements for individual directors are available upon request. Requests should be directed to the general counsel at gencounsel@aafp.org.
About the board
Learn more about the responsibilities, including time commitment and remuneration, for each position. You can also find out how to get involved.