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 FQHC network with 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. 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 FQHC network with 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. 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
President-elect
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 medical director with TMF Health Quality Institute, a Medicare quality improvement organization serving Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas. 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 the Air National Guard Assistant to the National Guard Bureau Joint Surgeon General.
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 medical director with TMF Health Quality Institute, a Medicare quality improvement organization serving Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas. 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 the Air National Guard Assistant to the National Guard Bureau Joint Surgeon General.
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.
Beverly Jordan, MD, FAAFP
Vice Speaker
Beverly Alison Flowers Jordan, MD, FAAFP, has played a significant role in shaping health care policy, regulation and physician advocacy across Alabama. She has strengthened professional relationships among physicians, nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, contributing to the development of collaborative practice frameworks across the state. She is a frequent speaker on collaborative practice, controlled substance prescribing, rural physician recruitment and sports medicine.
Beverly Alison Flowers Jordan, MD, FAAFP, has played a significant role in shaping health care policy, regulation and physician advocacy across Alabama. She has strengthened professional relationships among physicians, nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, contributing to the development of collaborative practice frameworks across the state. She is a frequent speaker on collaborative practice, controlled substance prescribing, rural physician recruitment and sports medicine.
Daniel Lewis, MD, CPE, CAQSM, FAAFP
Vice Speaker
Daniel “Danny” Lewis, MD, FAAFP, was drawn to a career in medicine early by a desire to help people. A practicing family physician in Tennessee, he is also the only family medicine-trained regional chief medical officer for Ballard Health. Dr. Lewis, a former president of the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians (TNAFP) advances the specialty by engaging medical students and residents in his role as chair of the TNAFP Foundation. Dr. Lewis continues to see patients clinically both in outpatient and hospitalist settings, while also serving as team physician for Tusculum University and as medical director for the Greene County Schools athletic training program.
Daniel “Danny” Lewis, MD, FAAFP, was drawn to a career in medicine early by a desire to help people. A practicing family physician in Tennessee, he is also the only family medicine-trained regional chief medical officer for Ballard Health. Dr. Lewis, a former president of the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians (TNAFP) advances the specialty by engaging medical students and residents in his role as chair of the TNAFP Foundation. Dr. Lewis continues to see patients clinically both in outpatient and hospitalist settings, while also serving as team physician for Tusculum University and as medical director for the Greene County Schools athletic training program.
R. Shawn Martin
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer
Shawn Martin is executive vice president and chief executive office of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the nation’s largest primary care organization. He leads the Academy’s strategic efforts to advance family medicine, strengthen primary care and improve health outcomes for patients and communities nationwide.
Shawn Martin is executive vice president and chief executive office of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the nation’s largest primary care organization. He leads the Academy’s strategic efforts to advance family medicine, strengthen primary care and improve health outcomes for patients and communities nationwide.
Domenic W. Casablanca, MD, FAAFP, DABFM
Director
Domenic W. Casablanca, MD, FAAFP, DABFM, is a clinical director at the Middlesex Health Family Medicine Residency Program and secretary of the Department of Family Medicine at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut. He is deeply devoted to his patients, many of whom he has been serving for over 25 years. His successful community outreach includes an expansion of the residency’s home-based primary care program and the establishment of home-based practice sites at a local assisted living facility and a residential care home for patients with serious psychiatric illnesses.
Domenic W. Casablanca, MD, FAAFP, DABFM, is a clinical director at the Middlesex Health Family Medicine Residency Program and secretary of the Department of Family Medicine at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut. He is deeply devoted to his patients, many of whom he has been serving for over 25 years. His successful community outreach includes an expansion of the residency’s home-based primary care program and the establishment of home-based practice sites at a local assisted living facility and a residential care home for patients with serious psychiatric illnesses.
Shannon Dowler, MD, CPE, FAAFP
Director
Shannon Dowler, MD, CPE, FAAFP, is a family physician in Marshall, North Carolina. She is a health policy consultant and, in this capacity, serves as acting chief medical officer for the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary at HHS, as well as leading a broad maternal health initiative across North Carolina. She was previously the chief medical officer of North Carolina Medicaid, a $30 billion program responsible for three million patients. Her clinical time is in a Ryan White federally qualified health center, where she provides HIV care. 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 is a health policy consultant and, in this capacity, serves as acting chief medical officer for the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary at HHS, as well as leading a broad maternal health initiative across North Carolina. She was previously the chief medical officer of North Carolina Medicaid, a $30 billion program responsible for three million patients. Her clinical time is in a Ryan White federally qualified health center, where she provides HIV care. 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 sees patients at a large primary care clinic and helps improve community health. She has extensive experience caring for rural communities. Dr. Liu 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 sees patients at a large primary care clinic and helps improve community health. She has extensive experience caring for rural communities. Dr. Liu 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.
Jason E. Marker, MD, MPA, FAAFP
Director
A strong sense of community shapes the way Jason E. Marker, MD, MPA, FAAFP, practices, leads and serves. He has served as associate director and clinic medical director at the Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program in South Bend, Indiana, since 2017. He was previously in a rural private practice in his home community in northern Indiana. A past president of the AAFP Foundation and the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians, he has expanded leadership pathways in the specialty. Dr. Marker helped create the CME on the Go podcast series, which he co-hosted from its first episode until 2026.
A strong sense of community shapes the way Jason E. Marker, MD, MPA, FAAFP, practices, leads and serves. He has served as associate director and clinic medical director at the Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program in South Bend, Indiana, since 2017. He was previously in a rural private practice in his home community in northern Indiana. A past president of the AAFP Foundation and the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians, he has expanded leadership pathways in the specialty. Dr. Marker helped create the CME on the Go podcast series, which he co-hosted from its first episode until 2026.
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.
Robert Assibey, MD, FAAFP
New physician member
Robert Assibey, MD, FAAFP, has served in multiple clinical and academic roles. He is the CEO and founder of Wounds R Us, a mobile advanced wound care company out of Livermore, California, that provides in-home advanced wound care to elderly patients. He has held several leadership positions within the California Academy of Family Physicians and was a co-convener for the 2025 AAFP National Conference of Constituency Leaders New Physician constituency.
Robert Assibey, MD, FAAFP, has served in multiple clinical and academic roles. He is the CEO and founder of Wounds R Us, a mobile advanced wound care company out of Livermore, California, that provides in-home advanced wound care to elderly patients. He has held several leadership positions within the California Academy of Family Physicians and was a co-convener for the 2025 AAFP National Conference of Constituency Leaders New Physician constituency.
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.
Alexandra (Ali) Greenberg, MD, MSPH, MS
Resident member
Alexandra (Ali) Greenberg, MD, MSPH, MS, is a fellow in LGBTQ+ medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed her residency at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, where she was chief resident and continues to support the inpatient service and help coordinate the program's social justice curriculum.
Alexandra (Ali) Greenberg, MD, MSPH, MS, is a fellow in LGBTQ+ medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed her residency at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, where she was chief resident and continues to support the inpatient service and help coordinate the program's social justice curriculum.
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.
Lauren Hutchinson
Student member
Lauren Hutchinson has served in leadership roles at the AAFP including as student delegate to the Congress of Delegates and the student member of the AAFP Commission on Education.
Lauren Hutchinson has served in leadership roles at the AAFP including as student delegate to the Congress of Delegates and the student member of the AAFP Commission on Education.
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.