Day 4 Nick Duncan, MD Alternate Delegate Nerves. One of the first feelings I recall when preparing for the Congress of Delegates this year — nerves with a mix of excitement. It was my first time to participate. First foray into health policy. So many questions. What will happen with the resolutions we proposed? Will I know what to do if I have to speak up on an issue? What are the processes for each session of the Congress? And you know what, it turned out all right. There were a lot of changes this year and we all learned together. There was a lot of discussion, apparently less than in years past, but people were able to express their views and decisions were made. And while not everyone agreed on how to address certain concerns, it was apparent that passion abounds on leading family medicine into the future. Our concerns are being discussed. Current policies that adversely affect our patients are being fought. Our need for greater support as we care for patients is the focus of the AAFP leadership. And that is how the Congress closed: with a renewed drive to continually improve on the laurels of those who have come before to lead our great community of family physicians. We have a new president, Dr. Jennifer Brull, from Fort Collins, Colorado, who brings much experience to the role and is ready to go to bat for family medicine. She takes the torch from the past president, Dr. Steven Furr, from Jackson, Alabama, who now transitions to board chair. Dr. Sarah Nosal from New York was selected as the new president-elect, and it was apparent from her speech that she brings a lot of passion and new ideas to the table. New members of the board were also selected: Dr. Shannon Dowler, Dr. Elizabeth Fowlie Mock, and Dr. Kathleen Mueller. Looking back on the experience, I express gratitude to our whole delegation: Dr. Nikki Clark, Dr. Katharine Caldwell, Dr. Chad Spain, and especially Maryann Martindale who guided us through it all. Thank you all for your insight and passion. I feel like we represented Utah well with important resolutions and will continue to work to make things better for us and our patients. The end. Well, sort of. If you care to check out the soundtrack, there were a few songs that either came to mind or actually played during our time in Phoenix, so here you go: You Don’t Know How It Feels — Tom Petty The Sound of Silence — Simon and Garfunkel Bad Medicine — Bon Jovi Runnin’ Down a Dream — Tom Petty Fly Like an Eagle — Steve Miller Band Wannabe — Spice Girls Immigrant Song — Led Zeppelin Apologize — One Republic (A reminder to get your resolutions in on time) Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey Take On Me — A-ha Summer of ‘69 — Bryan Adams Africa — Toto The Gambler — Kenny Rogers I Wanna Know What Love Is — Foreigner (Wish Juke Box Hero played too, but oh well) UAFP members select new delegates each year for two-year terms. If you are interested, watch your email and our website in early 2025 for the nomination process. 23
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