Rural Health Member Interest Group

Established: July 2014

The Rural Health Member Interest Group (MIG) grows connections among AAFP members with an interest in rural health, inclusive of rural practice topics and rural medical education issues related to producing family physicians prepared for rural practice.

Who can join this MIG

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

Rural Health MIG objectives

Grow connections among American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) members with a distinct interest in rural health, inclusive of rural practice topics and rural medical education issues related to producing family physicians prepared for rural practice
Work collaboratively with the cross-commission rural group to provide grassroots AAFP member information for the use of the cross-commission rural group and the sponsoring AAFP commission
Increase the participation of rural practicing physicians in the AAFP
Articulate ongoing objectives of AAFP members with a distinct interest in rural practice and rural health by providing an annual update of the Rural Health MIG to the sponsoring AAFP commission
Assist the AAFP in membership recruitment and retention of rural practicing family physicians

Long-term MIG goals

Provide an effective grassroots communication structure for AAFP members with a distinct interest in rural health, inclusive of rural practice topics and rural medical education issues related to providing continuing medical education and producing a workforce of family physicians prepared for rural practice
Engage and coordinate the members of the Rural Health MIG at AAFP meetings such as AAFP Assembly, as appropriate
Integrate the Rural Health MIG with existing AAFP structures to work collaboratively. This includes cooperating with the cross-commission rural group to provide grassroots AAFP member information and working closely with the sponsoring AAFP commission to be a resource to the work of the commission.
Increase AAFP membership among rural practicing physicians and other family physicians with interest in rural health, and demonstrate a recognized value of AAFP membership through the Rural Health MIG
Provide a resource and sounding board to the AAFP on rural health and rural practice issues through the articulation of ongoing objectives in the annual update of the Rural Health MIG to the sponsoring AAFP commission

MIG officers

Co-Chair: Naomi Clancy, MD, FAAFP
Co-Chair: Allene Whitney, MD
Co-Vice Chair: Melinda Feely, MD
Co-Vice Chair: Sandra Balmoria, MD
Co-Vice Chair: Townes Leigh Jr, DO
Co-Student Representative: Franki Walsh
Co-Student Representative: Krishna Tejo
Overseen By: Commission on Membership and Member Services