Resident Commission Appointments

Here's how to get your ideas in front of some of the most influential people in family medicine.

The AAFP is among a handful of specialty medical organizations to actively recruit resident members for leadership roles. Of the many leadership opportunities available to you as a resident, appointment to an AAFP commission stands out.

In this role—having been selected by the Board of Directors—you’ll advise the Board by reviewing and making recommendations on resolutions and policies. You’ll also serve as the voice of residents on your commission.

Apply now

Important details

  • Application deadline: September 1, 2026

  • Term: Dec. 15, 2026-Dec. 14, 2027

  • Prerequisites required: None

  • Funding: Travel expenses are reimbursed according to AAFP policy.

Position responsibilities

  • Commission members bring strategic and innovative ideas to light to inform policy recommendations, develop new programs and projects and streamline action

Candidates for this position are appointed by the AAFP Board of Directors at the recommendation of the AAFP Resident and Student Leadership Screening/Selection Committee.

Required elements of the application include:

  • Online application form
  • Letter of Interest
  • Letter of support from your program director
  • Support form completed by your AAFP chapter
  • Completed conflict of interest disclosure
  • Photo

Letters and forms can be uploaded or requested through the online application system. For detailed information on application materials, visit the How to Apply page. It is important to connect with your local AAFP Chapter as soon as possible to express your interest in this position, as some chapters have required processes that need to happen before applying.

AAFP commissions

The scope of work of the Commission on Continuing Professional Development (COCPD) includes:

  • AAFP CME Accreditation and Certification (of various credit categories)
  • Development, presentation, maintenance and refinement of existing and novel CME/CPD delivery methods and modalities
  • CME/CPD aspects of Continuing Board Certification and State Licensure
  • Performance Improvement CME (PI-CME)
  • AAFP CME/CPD Curricular Framework
  • Oversight, planning, and evaluation of all AAFP-provided CME

The scope of work of the Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in Family Medicine includes:

  • Leverage diversity, equity, inclusiveness, and antiracism lenses to inform and guide AAFP recommendations, policies, and work addressing disparities in care, health, and workforce.
  • Inform, develop, promote, and evaluate recommendations, policies, and procedures that promote health equity, reduce health disparities, and foster inclusive person-centered care across a wide range of topics including but not limited to: Underrepresented in medicine (URiM), Gender, LGBTQ*, Ability (including physician ability), Workforce diversity, Health equity, Social justice, Antiracism in medicine
  • Collaborate with AAFP Center for Diversity and Health Equity
  • CDEI-FM members also serve as liaisons to other AAFP commissions

CDEI-FM members serve as liaisons between AAFP member interest groups and the commission. The MIG within CDEI-FM purview is Intersectionality in Health Care MIG.

The scope of work of the Commission on Federal and State Policy (CFSP) includes:

  • Analysis of state and federal legislative and regulatory policy issues impacting family physicians, patients, and the health care system
  • Provide recommendations for potential revisions to state and federal legislative and regulatory policy issues that would have a positive impact on family physicians, patients, and the health care system
  • Production of white papers and policy position statements aimed at informing and influencing legislative and regulatory policies at the state and federal levels
  • Collaboration with reference committees at the Congress of Delegates to provide expert analysis of proposed resolutions and their alignment with and impact on AAFP legislative and regulatory policies objectives
  • Review of resolutions approved by the Congress of Delegates, National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL), and the Student & Resident Congress
  • Five-year review of relevant AAFP policies
  • CFSP members serve as liaisons between AAFP member interest groups (MIGs) and CFSP. The MIGs within CFSP purview include the following:
    • Member Interest Group on Single Payer Health Care

The scope of work of the Commission on Health of the Public and Science (CHPS) includes:

  • Develop, endorse, and disseminate evidence-based clinical guidelines and policies
  • Synthesize, evaluate, and disseminate clinical research and scientific discovery
  • Advocate for societal, regulatory, and environmental initiatives that improve health for all
  • Promote health equity and the elimination of disparities in care and health outcomes
  • Support the provision of culturally proficient, person-centered care

Health of the Public and Science (HOPS) members serve as liaisons between AAFP member interest groups (MIGs) and HOPS. The MIGs within HOPS purview include the following:

  1. Member Interest Group on Adolescent Health
  2. Member Interest Group on Breastfeeding Medicine
  3. Member Interest Group on Climate Change and Environmental Health
  4. Member Interest Group on Global Health
  5. Member Interest Group on Integrative Medicine
  6. Member Interest Group on Intersectionality in Health Care
  7. Member Interest Group on Intimate Partner Violence
  8. Member Interest Group on Lifestyle Medicine
  9. Member Interest Group on Medical Aid in Dying
  10. Medical Interest Group on Obstetrics
  11. Member Interest Group on Oral Health
  12. Member Interest Group on Reproductive Health Care

The scope of work of the Commission on Membership and Member Services (CMMS) includes:

  • Recruitment/Retention
  • Value of Membership
  • Member Services
  • Life-stage Career Issues
  • Special Needs
  • Awards
  • International Membership
  • Urban/rural Membership Issues
  • Degree of Fellow
  • Member Constituencies (National Conference of Constituency Leaders [NCCL])
  • National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL) Planning
  • Chapter Relations
  • Annual Chapter Leaders Forum (ALCF) Planning
  • Leadership Development
  • Member Interest Groups (MIGs)

CMMS members serve as liaisons between AAFP member interest groups (MIGs) and CMMS. The MIGs within CMMS purview include the following:

Member Interest Group on Physicians for Life

The scope of work of the Commission on Quality and Practice (CQP) includes:

  • Administrative Burden
  • Emerging Technologies and Health Data Use
  • Health Care Delivery Models
  • Health Information Technology
  • Performance Measurement
  • Physician Employment
  • Physician Payment
  • Practice Environment
  • Practice Management
  • Practice Transformation
  • Private Sector Advocacy
  • Quality Improvement
  • Scope of Practice and Privileging

CQP members serve as liaisons between AAFP member interest groups (MIGs) and CQP. The MIGs within CQP purview include the following:

  1. Member Interest Group on Direct Primary Care
  2. Member Interest Group on Employed Physicians
  3. Member Interest Group on EMR Optimization
  4. Member Interest Group on Hospital Medicine
  5. Member Interest Group on Independent Solo/Small Group Practice
  6. Member Interest Group on Telehealth

The scope of work of the Commission on Education (COE) includes:

  • Workforce
  • Student Interest/Student Choice
  • Student and Resident Issues
  • Curriculum
  • FUTURE (formerly National Conference)
  • Educational Awards

COE members serve as liaisons between AAFP member interest groups (MIGs) and COE. The MIGs within COE purview include the following:

  1. Member Interest Group on Academic Mentorship
  2. Member Interest Group on Emergency Medicine/Urgent Care
  3. Member Interest Group on Point-of-Care Ultrasound

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