Utah’s 2023-2024 Delegates and Alternates Delegates Thea Sakata, MD Nikki Clark, MD, FAAFP Alternate Delegates David Cope, MD, FAAFP Katharine Caldwell, MD, MPH From L to R: Dr. Katherine Caldwell (alternate delegate), Dr. Nikki Clark (delegate), Maryann Martindale (UAFP CEO), Dr. Thea Sakata (delegate) and Dr. David Cope (alternate delegate). the G2211 code, that, if allowed to go into effect as planned in 2024, would allow primary care physicians the ability to capture some of the complexity required to provide quality longitudinal care. He also discussed an effort to understand family physician compensation across the country and encouraged members to complete the Family Medicine “Know Your Worth” survey so that the AAFP can create a benchmarking dashboard. Finally, he reviewed the AAFP strategic plan and outlined six key priorities for moving Family Medicine (FM) forward: 1. Financing for primary care and the need to secure better investment in primary care. AAFP has called upon the AMA to help modernize the current payment system to one that appropriately values FM and primary care. 2. Physician Autonomy: “FMs are at our best when in service to our patients, not corporations.” 3. Comprehensiveness and Continuity of Care: Family docs have a unique ability to meet the needs of a community; we need to better create a marketplace that allows this. 4. Practice Experience: Supporting all innovations in PC delivery; AAFP is engaged to support members to use AI correctly. 5. Inclusiveness: Family Medicine, including AAFP leadership, should be representative of the communities they serve. 6. Family Medicine Workforce: FM needs a stronger presence on medical school campuses to encourage students to go into family medicine. The day began with reference committee recommendation reports and floor debate for extracted resolutions. Utah’s resolution asking the AAFP to establish a national Family Medicine Week passed as written with reference committee support. Debate also resumed over the formation of the Nominating Committee, concluding with a new process to be enacted for the 2024 cycle. Under this new system, small and medium chapters such as Utah and many other western states will have a more level playing field upon which to run candidates for the AAFP board, speaker, vice-speaker and president-elect positions. The last day of the Congress of Delegates started off with delegates voting for a new president-elect. While awaiting the results of this vote, the Congress dealt with the remaining resolutions. We heard strong, supportive testimony for the resolution our chapter had proposed asking the AAFP to advocate for hospitals to grant trained family physicians privileges to perform deliveries and for adequate obstetrical training in residencies. We were glad to see this resolution pass and to have support for an issue we all felt passionate about, recognizing that all family physicians need to be competent in the care of the pregnant patient, even if they do not provide prenatal care. After a lighter exchange of jokes from the speakers and the Congress members, Dr. Steven Furr recognized outgoing President Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize for her service and gave a speech to the Congress accepting his new role as President. Election results were revealed, and we are excited to welcome Dr. Jenn Brull as the new President-Elect. With the final gavel concluding the 2023 Congress of Delegates, we are pleased to see both of our resolutions pass, many good policy changes approved and new, more inclusive avenues for leadership opportunities introduced. Next year’s Congress will be held Sept. 23-25, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. If you’re interested in becoming a delegate, watch the Beat for more information in early January. 15 |
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