April 2021 E-Newsletter

Mark Your Calendar

• Telling Your Story: Narrative Medicine (April 21): The second event in WAFP’s Professional Development Series will feature Ben Davis, MD, who will discuss storytelling as a way to communicate and crafting a compelling narrative. The event is free for WAFP members. Register today!
• 2021 House of Delegates (May 6): Represent your local chapter at the 2021 House of Delegates! Sign up today.
• 64th Annual Scientific Assembly (May 7-8): Featured speakers include Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize, AAFP Director, speaking on COVID-19’s long haul effects; Dr. Renee Crichlow, incoming vice-chair of health equity at Boston University, speaking on racism in medicine; and Dr. John Tomkowiak, founding dean of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. As a continued membership benefit, this is offered free to WAFP members. Click to register for May 7 here; click to register for May 8 here. There are different registration links for each day.
• Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (May 18-19): Join WAFP leaders and staff as we speak with Washington’s congressional delegation to highlight the importance of primary care and the critical role of family medicine in the nation’s health care. Learn more and register here, or contact Brian Hunsicker with questions.

Stay In The Know

• WAFP President Testifies in State House: Lillian Wu, MD, FAAFP, testified before the House Appropriations Committee on March 18. She represented the Academy in its support for SB 5068, which would extend postpartum coverage to a full year for Medicaid patients. The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate and is making its way through the House. Other members testifying on behalf of the WAFP on other matters included Dr. Christie Miles and Dr. Ashlin Mountjoy.
• Another Record Match for Family Medicine: AAFP reports that 4,493 medical students matched into family medicine during 2021’s Match Day. The University of Washington School of Medicine reported a record 50 students matching into the specialty, while the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s inaugural class had six students match into family medicine. PNWU has not reported match results yet.
• New Chronic Pain Toolkit: The AAFP has developed a chronic pain toolkit for members who care for patients with chronic pain. The toolkit helps family physicians with effective assessment, diagnosis and management of chronic pain. Learn more on the AAFP’s website.
• UW Speaker Series Resumes April 29: Daytheon Sturges, MPAS, PA-C, CAHIMS, CHES, will be the next speaker in the UW Department of Family Medicine’s 50th anniversary speaker series. He will speak on pioneering efforts as the department journeys toward justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. A link to register will be available on the department’s website.

Engage with WAFP

• Make Your Voice Heard on WAFP Resolutions: As a WAFP member, your input is critical on one of the seven policy resolutions that will be considered by the 2021 House of Delegates. The WAFP website will contain an all-in-one House of Delegates page to comment on resolutions. The page will also include speeches from leadership candidates, and information on what will be different about this year’s meeting. More to come!
• Fellowship Convocation: If you are eligible to become a fellow of the AAFP, there will be a convocation ceremony immediately following the House of Delegates on May 6, between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. You do not need to participate in the House of Delegates to be a part of the fellowship ceremony. For more information, contact Lindsay Soyer.

Take Advantage of Other Opportunities

• Challenging Race-Based Medicine in Practice: The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is holding a webinar on April 22 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Pacific time to help learners understand race-based medicine, the implications of conflating race with genetic ancestry, and other topics. Learn more on OAFP’s website.
• 2021 COD to be Held In Person in Kansas City: The Congress of Delegates will be held Sept. 26-29 in Kansas City, MO, moving from its original location of Anaheim, CA. The Congress will also utilize virtual hearings from some reference committees on Sept. 12.