Student member commission appointments

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AAFP commissions give medical students a great opportunity to contribute, advocate and lead.

As a student member appointed to an AAFP Commission, you’ll be expected to bring strategic and innovative ideas to inform policy recommendations, programs and projects. You’ll help advise AAFP’s Board of Directors by reviewing and making recommendations on resolutions and policies referred to your commission. Most important, you’ll be the medical student voice on your commission.

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Important details

  • Application deadline: Sept. 4, 2026

  • Term: Dec. 15, 2026–Dec. 14, 2027

  • Prerequisites required: None

  • Funding: Travel covered according to AAFP Travel Policy. A per diem covers expenses to travel to and attend the meeting, including lodging and food.

Position responsibilities

  • Commission members inform policy recommendations, develop new programs and projects and streamline action.

  • Commissions are appointed by and advise the AAFP Board of Directors (each commission includes one resident and one medical student).

  • See below for commission descriptions and specific responsibilities.

The AAFP Board of Directors appoints candidates for this position at the recommendation of the AAFP Resident and Student Leadership Screening and Selection Committee. The application requires a:

  • Completed online application form
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Letter of support from faculty at your medical school
  • Participation form signed by your medical school dean’s office
  • Support form completed by your AAFP chapter (state or constituent)
  • 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. Some chapters have required processes before you can apply.

Questions? Contact AAFP leadership staff at getinvolved@aafp.org.

AAFP commissions

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

  • Accreditation and certification of AAFP CME (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
  • 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 (CDEI-FM) 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
    • 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 serve as liaisons to other AAFP commissions. Members also serve as liaisons between AAFP member interest groups (MIGs) and the commission. Within CDEI-FM’s purview is the MIG on Intersectionality in Health Care.

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
  • Produce white papers and policy position statements aimed at informing and influencing legislative and regulatory policies at the state and federal levels
  • Collaborate 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, and the Student and Resident Congress
  • Five-year review of relevant AAFP policies

CFSP members serve as liaisons between AAFP MIGs and CFSP. Within CFSP’s purview is the MIG on Single Payer Health Care.

The scope of work of the Commission on Health of the Public and Science (HOPS) 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

HOPS members serve as liaisons between AAFP MIGs and HOPS. Within HOPS' purview are the MIGs on:

  • Adolescent Health
  • Breastfeeding Medicine
  • Climate Change and Environmental Health
  • Global Health
  • Integrative Medicine
  • Intersectionality in Health Care
  • Intimate Partner Violence
  • Lifestyle Medicine
  • Medical Aid in Dying
  • Obstetrics
  • Oral Health
  • Reproductive Health Care

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

  • Recruitment and retention
  • Value of membership
  • Member services
  • Life-stage career issues
  • Special needs
  • Awards
  • International membership
  • Urban and rural membership issues
  • Degree of Fellow
  • Member constituencies, including the National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL)
  • NCCL planning
  • Chapter relations
  • Annual Chapter Leaders Forum planning
  • Leadership development
  • MIGs

CMMS members serve as liaisons between AAFP MIGs and CMMS. Within CMMS' purview is the MIG 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 MIGs and CQP. Within CQP’s purview are the MIGs on:

  • Direct Primary Care
  • Employed Physicians
  • EMR Optimization
  • Hospital Medicine
  • Independent Solo and Small Group Practice
  • Telehealth

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

  • Workforce
  • Student interest and student choice
  • Student and resident issues
  • Curriculum
  • FUTURE (formerly National Conference)
  • Educational awards

COE members serve as liaisons between AAFP MIGs and COE. Within COE’s purview are the MIGs on:

  • Academic Mentorship
  • Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care
  • Point-of-Care Ultrasound

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