AAFP Launches Primary Care Innovation Network and Advisory Committee to Guide AI in Frontlines of Care

Leawood, KS—The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) announced the inaugural Advisory Committee for its new Primary Care Innovation Network (PCIN), a national effort to put family physicians at the center of how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping primary care.

PCIN is AAFP’s flagship initiative to accelerate physician-led innovation in AI and digital health. It builds on years of research and collaboration, including the 2025 Starfield AI Summit and the Starfield Signal roadmap, which outlined a path for responsible AI adoption in primary care.

“AI is already reshaping healthcare—there’s no question about it,” said Steven Waldren, MD, AAFP’s Chief Medical Informatics Officer. “The goal of the PCIN is to ensure family physicians aren’t just reacting to that change, but that they are leading it in ways that improve care, reduce administrative burden and strengthen what matters most in primary care—trusted, continuous relationships between physicians and their patients. Those relationships are essential to ensuring access to affordable, high-quality care for all.”

The committee brings together leaders from primary care, health systems and major technology organizations to help ensure AI tools are practical, trustworthy and aligned with the realities of clinical practice. They will meet quarterly to set priorities, provide strategic guidance and ensure alignment with physician needs and AAFP policy. Members include:

• Ricky Y. Choi, MD, MPH — Samsung Electronics America & Stanford School of Medicine, Advisory Committee Co-Chair
• Kameron Matthews, MD, JD, FAAFP — IMPaCT Care, Advisory Committee Co-Chair
• Christopher Crow, MD — Catalyst Health Group
• Jason B. Dees, DO, FAAFP — Molina Healthcare
• Kyna Fong, PhD — Elation Health
• Jackie Gerhart, MD — Epic Systems
• Rachel Gruner, MPH — Microsoft AI
• Paulius Mui, MD — X=PrimaryCare
• David Rushlow, MD — Mayo Clinic
• Matt Sakumoto — Nabla Health / UCSF Health
• Rosemary Weldon, MBA — Aledade, Inc.
• Travis Zack, MD, PhD — OpenEvidence

Through the PCIN, family physicians will have hands-on opportunities to work directly with technology developers and learn from peers through webinars, hackathons, research and national convenings.

“We’re at a tipping point for AI in health care. Primary care must have a seat at the table to ensure AI-enabled capabilities truly work for patients and the physicians who care for them,” said R. Shawn Martin, AAFP EVP and CEO. “Our goal is clear: reduce friction in care delivery, strengthen patient-physician relationships, improve outcomes for patients and restore joy in practice by solidifying primary care as the foundation of a high-performing U.S. health system.”

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About the American Academy of Family Physicians
The AAFP is the largest national association of family physicians, representing 124,500 physicians and medical students. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on impactful care for people of all ages, races and genders across all medical conditions. The AAFP supports every stage of a family physician's career and provides evidence-based resources, advocacy and community to empower family medicine. To learn more, visit aafp.org. For information about health care, medical conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s patient education website, familydoctor.org.