President's Message - January, 2007 AKAFP

President’s Report      March 6, 2008

This past year has been a busy and challenging one for the Alaska Academy of Family Physicians.  I am in my final six months of serving as your president and want to take this opportunity to thank you for the privilege of representing you these last two years.  As we look toward the future, these are shaping up to be very challenging days for our specialty.  Rather than lose heart, I would encourage each of us to recall the reasons we decided to enter the healing profession, and specifically primary care.  Remember the old Pogo cartoon?  I would like to turn it around and say, “We have met the remedy, and the remedy is us.”  Remember that you each have the calling, the heart, and the scientific knowledge and skills to be healers in your community and for your patients.

Your academy has striven this past year to help you develop and stay current with the latter.  Last year’s Winter Update was a resounding success with two great workshops and many fine lectures.  The snow conditions were superb making for a weekend that nurtured body, mind, and spirit.  The Annual Scientific Congress in Valdez was exceptional – four days of challenging relevant presentations by both national experts and local Alaskan talent in pristine eastern Prince William Sound.  The charter cruise was the finest I have experienced in 19 years I have been in Alaska.  In October, many members traveled to Chicago for the AAFP Congress and Convention.  In November, we sponsored our 11^th ALSO course.

As I expressed in my President’s Message a year ago, our vision as a chapter is expanding to include legislative advocacy for both our patients and our profession.  We have had a number of opportunities this past year to do just that.  From testifying on the Naturopath Bill to discussing the Medicare crisis in Alaska, people want to know where family physicians stand.

On the national level, the AKAFP is also making quite a stir.  For a very small chapter, we have been very active.  Marin Granholm completed her year on the AAFP Board of Directors in October as did AFMR resident Jen Hyer (she served as student representative on the board).  Barb Doty remains active on the Education Commission and in WONCA.  She and John Cullen served as Alaska’s delegates to the AAFP Congress and John served on the Membership Commission.  Darin Dykema received an appointment to the Commission on Quality late last year.  This kind of representation at the national level is unprecedented for a small chapter like ours.  Yet, it is not surprising to me because Alaskan family physicians are exceptional.  I get that confirmation from our national leaders at every meeting I attend.

We have had our challenges; our budget for instance.  With lower attendance at two of our conferences as well as some unforeseen expenses last year, we had to tighten our belt some and carefully reevaluate how we accomplish the tasks we set for ourselves.  With some expert assistance from our treasurer, Louann Feldman, I can report that the Academy is in good shape and ready to face 2008 both leaner and smarter.  Although we successfully completed a Tar Wars campaign last summer, we have not been able to find the grant funding nor to continue the program for its second year.  I would love to see this happen in the future.  Last March, we had a Winter Update pre-conference Strategic Planning Meeting facilitated by the Foraker Group.  This session was a real highlight for the board and has helped us address our challenges and frame our vision for the future.

In summary, the Alaska Academy is strong, active, and maturing.  We are looking to the future.  But we are also seeking new, fresh leadership and there is clearly a place for you in that role.  Please contact me anytime with your ideas and suggestions – especially if you are ready to roll up your sleeves.