LPW is a unique certificate program to equip family physicians with the knowledge, experience and leadership skills for leading change that improves physician and clinician well-being within their practices and organizations. At the successful completion of the program, scholars will earn a physician leadership certificate and be recognized as thought leaders and spokespeople for physician well-being.
This program will consist of a cohort of up to 150 family physicians and other primary care scholars annually.
LPW aims for impactful change in health care practices and organizations. This program will include didactic education and an applied project utilizing a combination of in-person and online learning focused on topics of physician well-being and theories around leading change and implementing performance improvement.
The three foundational elements of this program are:
Family physicians are needed to provide leadership within their practices and organizations. The Quadruple Aim states that improving the work life of health care professionals is essential to enhancing patient experience, reducing costs and improving population health.
Improving physician well-being is the key to improving the overall state of health care in the U.S. LPW provides the tools needed for physicians to feel confident stepping up to lead during a time of organizational challenge and uncertainty. In addition to learning how to adapt with change during uncertain times, scholars will have the opportunity to network and develop professional relationships with colleagues for support and guidance.
The program was developed by family physician faculty with extensive experience in change management. A team of educational designers and developers collaborate closely with the faculty to create engaging content that helps LPW scholars retain and apply the information in their practice setting.
LPW envisions scholars who successfully complete the program are equipped to implement innovative solutions and best practices, improving the well-being of colleague physicians and other team members. The AAFP envisions every scholar gaining the confidence to be change leaders and the capability to successfully implement improvements in their practices and organizations. The resulting impact includes sustained physician well-being and improved patient outcomes. LPW graduates will constitute and engage in a national community of physician well-being champions.
LPW is a 10-month cohort (one in-person event and one livestreamed event), five webinars and ongoing online activities. All activities facilitate the development of a supportive learning community. LPW combines hands-on, didactic and experiential education and an applied project that includes virtual, online touchpoints between core sessions. Online learning facilitates familiarity with the core topics. The livestreamed and in-person learning sessions facilitate skill building and advanced learning.
Foundational Components:
Home Group Learning Community:
In addition to the scheduled sessions, LPW offers an online learning community. Here, scholars have a chance to work on their PI projects, discuss topics from webinars, debate hot topics and continue conversations that came up during the in-person event.
Each scholar is highly encouraged to develop a plan and initiate implementation of an IMPACT Project within their practice or organization. The PI project provides experience designing and implementing an improvement plan. Scholars should complete the PI-CME project by the following year.
1:1 coaching:
All scholars will have the opportunity to connect with their Home Group leader for 1:1 coaching throughout their IMPACT Project as well other topics agreed upon between the Home Group’s leader and scholar.
At the successful completion of the program, scholars earn a Leading Physician Well-being certificate and the AAFP recognizes scholars as thought leaders and spokespeople for physician well-being. Scholars receive AAFP CME credit for participating.
Other benefits include:
The LPW program incorporates intentional coaching experiences to help physicians turn learning into meaningful action. Coaching is a structured, learner-centered process that supports reflection, goal setting, and personal growth. Throughout the program, most often to conclude learning experiences, participants will engage in guided coaching conversations that deepen insight and strengthen accountability, giving them dedicated space to reflect on their experiences and apply new skills within their own environments.
This program uses a part-time fellowship model requiring continuous engagement throughout the program’s duration. Outside of the five scheduled webinars, livestream and in-person activity, scholars should plan on dedicating 5 percent (1 hour/week) of their time over the 10-month period.
The time will increase slightly when major project deliverables are due. This includes preparation for and follow-up with your home group leader after live sessions and webinars. These follow-ups are especially focused on understanding the needs of the scholar's practice and organization, identifying opportunities for improvement, and designing and implementing an applied improvement project.
During the cohort year, scholars are tasked with implementing an IMPACT Project. Each project impacts organizational change and allows scholars the opportunity to demonstrate leadership of an intervention within their organization. This activity provides scholars with the opportunity to examine relevant data, develop a response plan, and execute the plan over a period long enough to yield measurable outcomes all while earning PI-CME credit and ABFM points towards their maintenance of certification and/or fellow certification. Home Group faculty will support scholars through each step of the IMPACT Project.
Assignments are due throughout the cohort year. Scholars have until the year after their program ends to complete their project for PI-CME credit and ABFM points.
Due to the time commitment, students are not eligible for LPW.
Residents may apply if they have commitment and time support from their residency program. As part of the application process, residents must submit a letter of support from their resident program director.
Applications opened Nov. 10, 2025 and are due Jan. 15, 2026.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with final decision e-mails being sent no later than Jan. 22, 2026.
Incomplete application packets will not be considered.
The LPW Certificate program costs $2,500 for AAFP members and $3,000 for non-members. Scholarships are not available for this cycle.
Scholars are responsible for all travel and housing expenses for in-person activities, as well as food and beverage costs not covered during sessions. Full payment is due no later than July 31, 2026.
The LPW program offers CME credit for qualifying activities. The exact amount of credit is still under review. In the past, the program has offered at least 50 CME hours to scholars who claim credit. In addition, scholars have the opportunity to claim both AAFP CME credit and ABFM certification points for their performance improvement projects.
Scholars participate in LPW for 10 months.
Yes, travel will be required for one in-person core session at Whole Health Summit, May 16-17 in Charlotte, NC.
There are no remote attendance options for this session.
Contact the Leading Physician Well-being Program team at LPW@aafp.org.
Please allow up to four weeks for delivery of refund. Fees will be refunded using the same method of payment used to pay the AAFP. This policy covers registration and ticketed events.
The AAFP is not responsible for monies registrants may have spent on penalty or nonrefundable airline tickets or hotel deposits in the event this course is canceled or sold out. Before purchasing your airline ticket, make sure you have received your registration and hotel confirmation. If a program is canceled by the AAFP, every effort will be made to notify registrants at least 30 days prior to the first day of the course, and registration fees will be refunded.
You can notify the AAFP of cancellation by:
(800) 274-2237
aafp@aafp.org
Fax: (913) 906-6075
Mail: AAFP, Attn: Member Resource Center, 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Leawood, KS 66211