FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Contact:
Janelle Davis
American Academy of Family Physicians
913-906-6253
jdavis@aafp.org
LEAWOOD, Kan. — The American Academy of Family Physicians is pleased to announce that Shawn Martin, AAFP’s senior vice president, advocacy, practice advancement and policy, will become the next executive vice president and CEO of the AAFP, succeeding Douglas E. Henley, MD. In April 2019, Henley announced his intent to retire effective Aug. 1, 2020.
“Over the past 11 months, we conducted a national search for our new CEO and considered a highly qualified and diverse slate of candidates,” said Dr. Gary LeRoy, President of AAFP. “After an extensive interview process with the AAFP’s Board of Directors, we found the best candidate right in our own backyard. Shawn is an experienced leader and nationally recognized expert on primary care delivery, payment and workforce issues. I am confident he will continue to deliver value for AAFP’s members and staff.”
Martin brings 20+ years of experience with health care organizations, both with the AAFP and the American Osteopathic Association. He is passionate about promoting the specialty of family medicine, reducing administrative burden for physicians and ensuring everyone has equal access to affordable health care coverage based in foundational family medicine and primary care.
“As the son of a family physician, I understand the important and valuable role family physicians play in people’s lives and in the health of local communities,” said Martin. “I look forward to continuing the great work Dr. Henley, our staff and our board are doing to advance the specialty of family medicine both for physicians and patients.”
Martin will continue in his current role until June 1. At that time, Martin will become CEO designee, and he and Henley will work closely together over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.