Integrative Medicine Member Interest Group

Established: July 2020

The Integrative Medicine Member Interest Group (MIG) provides a forum for members to increase awareness of, and interest in, complementary therapies and integrative medicine. It will also foster communication and dialogue among family physicians practicing integrative medicine.

Who can join this MIG

Participation is open to any AAFP member interested in or seeking to learn more about integrative medicine.

Integrative Medicine MIG objectives

Continued education of AAFP leaders through ongoing in-person and e-mail communication
Develop a guideline resource for integrative medicine patient education handouts
Add resources to the MIG library, including high-quality member tools and patient handouts from reputable institutions.
Increase opportunities for collaboration by organizing meet-ups at integrative and/or family medicine conferences attended by MIG members
Collaborate with the Lifestyle Medicine MIG and explore additional cross-MIG partnerships that support shared goals
Actively share resources and experience with LM MIG around wellness and wholeperson care (WPC), including WPC tools, “Community as Medicine” programs, national and local food resources, and key conferences and educational opportunities
Create simple, living channels to exchange resource materials to help members replicate successful models, avoid reinventing the wheel, and build collaborations that advance our shared vision
Continue identifying and inviting family medicine research authors to post on the website and to participate in Zoom presentations of their work
Submit integrative medicine presentations for the 2027 FMX conference
Identify integrative medicine health policy issues at both the state and national levels
Conduct a brief member needs assessment—formal or informal—to determine what resources, activities, and opportunities would best support members and increase engagement
Provide quarterly discussion topics, such as challenging clinical scenarios that can be approached integratively, to generate practical tips members can bring back to their practices
Continue to focus on long-term strategic goals aligned with the mission and growth of the MIG

Long-term MIG goals

Advance integrative medicine in family medicine
Foster collaboration of family physicians interested in integrative medicine
Support integrative medicine professional development of family physicians
Suggest and support CME integrative medicine topics for AAFP CME venues
Help the Academy be a resource for family physicians practicing integrative medicine and for those interested in learning about integrative medicine
Create, support, and develop educational opportunities specifically related to integrative medicine for members
Develop and promote policies for integrative medicine in family medicine and be a resource for AAFP policy on integrative medicine
Advocate for AAFP members practicing integrative medicine at the state and national level
Help identify issues related to integrative medicine that are important for the strategic interests of the AAFP

MIG officers

Chair: Stephen Dahmer, MD
Co-Chair: Louis Kazal, MD, FAAFP
Vice Chair: Alex Kipp, MD, FAAFP
Co-Vice Chair: Robert Bonakdar, MD, FAAFP
Secretary: Greta Kuphal, MD
Overseen By: Commission on Health of the Public and Science