AAFP leadership opportunities for residents
- On this page
- Elected national resident leaders
- Representatives to other organizations
- Commission appointments
- Advisory and program boards
- How to apply for a position
Your residency is a prime time to help shape the future of family medicine.
The AAFP recognizes how important the contributions of family medicine residents are to high-quality patient care. We're one of the few specialty organizations that actively enlist resident members for leadership roles.
If you’re ready to represent and advocate for your fellow residents, within the AAFP and with outside organizations, here are all the ways you can get involved.
Elected national AAFP resident leaders
Make your voice heard in these key positions as you hone your leadership skills. From having voting power on the AAFP Board of Directors to representing family medicine residents at national events, there are opportunities to shape a better future for students, residents and active physicians, and patients.
Contribute your perspective to high-level decision-making discussions on the AAFP Board of Directors. You’ll get social media and public relations training, plus mentoring opportunities with established leaders in family medicine. Learn more and apply.
Help plan the AAFP’s annual conference for the future of family medicine in this high-visibility role. You’ll get to travel and serve on various committees as FUTURE (formerly National Conference) comes together with your help. Learn more and apply.
Learn the AAFP’s governance process as an elected alternate delegate to this year's AAFP Congress of Delegates. After the meeting, you’ll serve as a delegate through next year's congress. Learn more and apply.
Meet your elected AAFP resident leaders
Derek Southwick, MD
Resident member of the AAFP Board of Directors
Taree Chadwick, MD
Resident Conference Chair
Maria Paula Castro Reales, MD
Resident delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates
Claire Namboodri, MD
Resident delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates
Representatives to other organizations
Spread the word about the AAFP’s mission to improve family medicine as you collaborate and grow your professional network. As a resident leader, you have the opportunity to serve in one of these forward-facing roles.
Resident Delegate, AMA Resident and Fellow Section: Represent the AAFP at the AMA’s two annual business meetings.
Resident Delegate, AMA House of Delegates: Serve as an important communications, policy and membership link between the AMA and grassroots physicians.
Resident Member, AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees: Be involved with high-level decision-making and receive mentoring from AAFP Foundation leaders.
Resident Member, FamMedPAC Board of Directors: Serve on a political action committee that promotes candidates for Congress who support the AAFP’s legislative goals.
Resident Member, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Board of Directors: Help define the society’s role in student education.
Resident Member, Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors Board of Directors: Get nonprofit board leadership experience and mentoring.
Resident Member, Review Committee for Family Medicine: Get involved with residency education and accreditation at a national level.
AAFP commission appointments
AAFP commission members bring strategic and innovative ideas to light and work with the Board of Directors to inform policy recommendations, develop new programs and projects and streamline action.
AAFP commissions:
Commission on Continuing Professional Development
Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness in Family Medicine
Commission on Federal and State Policy
Commission on Health of the Public and Science
Commission on Membership and Member Services
Commission on Quality and Practice
Commission on Education
AAFP advisory and program boards
Help shape the AAFP’s editorial voice with resident leadership roles on two widely read publications.
Resident Member, American Family Physician Editorial Board: Work on the AAFP’s peer-reviewed, evidence-based clinical journal.
Resident Member, Annals of Family Medicine Editorial Advisory Board: Be a part of this peer-reviewed clinical research journal dedicated to improving health and primary care.