In recognition of the essential role of family physicians in their patients' lives, AAFP is extending its National Doctors' Day celebration beyond Mar. 30 by thanking members with a gift of $100 off a purchase of $250 or more. This offer is good through Apr. 30.

To kick off Michigan Family Medicine Week, proclaimed by Gov. Whitmer and recognized by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as Mar. 21-27, MAFP hosted a media roundtable to raise awareness of the importance of including family physicians in COVID-19 vaccine administration. Click here for a compilation of the media coverage garnered from the roundtable. Previously, MAFP sent letters to Gov. Whitmer and MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel, urging the state to include family physicians in the statewide vaccination effort as vaccine supply increases and prioritization groups expand.

FPs and State Legislators Discuss Issues Impacting Patients, the Primary Care Workforce, and the Practice of Family Medicine

Despite being held virtually, this year’s Michigan Family Medicine Advocacy Day on Mar. 23 provided an opportunity for nearly 70 members to talk with state representatives, senators, and their staff about how they can support family physicians and their role in keeping Michiganders and communities healthy. “While this year’s virtual Advocacy Day looked much different than those of years’ past, it was equally effective at educating lawmakers about the role of family physicians in the healthcare system and the issues that impact their practice of family medicine and their patients. We thank all who participated in the 2021 Michigan Family Medicine Day,” said Matt Black, MAFP Director of Government Relations.

Any MAFP member in good standing is invited to submit a resolution for discussion and voting on by the membership at the Annual Meeting on Saturday, Jul. 24, 12-2 pm ET (registration is open). A resolution is a member’s formal written proposal for MAFP to establish policy, address an issue of concern, eliminate a non-essential activity, or explore or implement a new program. Click here for tips for writing and submitting a resolution. Resolutions are due to MAFP by June 1.

Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan is hosting a live webinar on implicit bias on May 4, 7-8 pm ET, that may meet an upcoming licensure requirement for family physicians in Michigan. Discussion will focus on how bias shows up routinely in healthcare settings, its impact on patients and colleagues, and how it alters healthcare access and delivery. This webinar has been approved for 1.00 Online Only, Live AAFP Prescribed credit. The state’s rules regarding implicit bias training are currently being promulgated by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs; MAFP will provide more information as it becomes available.  

If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to pay your Academy dues so you can continue to take advantage of member-only benefits, such as COVID-related CME sessions; discounts on evidence-based, family medicine specific CME; access to Primary+ for reporting CME, logging procedures, and tracking state licensing; connection to a diverse community of peers who share common interests through member interest groups; and more. To pay membership dues, visit aafp.org/quickpay or call 800.274.2237 before May 4.

Call for Presentation Proposals: Women in Family Medicine Conference   

Presentation proposals are being accepted now through May 3 for Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan's 2021 Women in Family Medicine Conference, being held virtually on Saturday, Nov. 13. Submissions should include current topics of interest and new studies, technologies, and/or procedures. 

Fourth-year Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine students and MAFP members Girish Pathangey and Alexandra Hospodar led a study that provides in-depth analysis of who may be at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and why. Their study was published in the American Journal of Physiology Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology.

Alma Family Practice, PC, relied on volunteers from Alma College to assist in its COVID-19 vaccination clinic by doing administrative work, supervising patients after they received vaccine, and sanitizing waiting areas after patients left. “There are so many patients who have received a vaccine here who never would have gotten it otherwise,” said C. Jeffrey Holmes, MD, one of three physicians practicing at Alma Family Practice and an MAFP member. “Some of them were intimidated by the electronic approach to getting a vaccine. Some of them were distrustful of getting a vaccine from anyone other than their primary care physician. Some of these demographics are, statistically, the most vulnerable to becoming very sick with COVID-19.”

Letter to the Editor: Equip FPs with COVID-19 Vaccine

The Detroit News published a letter to the editor submitted by direct primary care physician Paul Thomas, MD (Detroit) about how “primary care physicians are perfectly positioned to counter vaccine misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, but they also need to be equipped with the vaccine."

Do you have news to share about yourself, your practice, or a colleague? Email info@mafp.com.

The Michigan Board of Medicine works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the practice of medical doctors in the state. This 19-member body—10 physicians, eight public members, and one physician assistant—works to promote and protect public health, safety, and welfare. Each board member serves a four-year term. There are currently five physician positions available for appointment. MAFP encourages members interested in serving on the Michigan Board of Medicine to apply. The application deadline is Aug. 1. For more information or to discuss the application process, contact Director of Government Relations Matt Black at mblack@mafp.com.

AAFP’s all-virtual, no-travel advocacy day happens May 19, following a live online training session the night of May 18. This is your chance to join colleagues and meet with members of Congress to advocate for family medicine while sharpening your storytelling and political engagement skills. Lobbying will focus on telehealth, Medicaid pay parity, and high-deductible health plans.

ABFM PRIME Registry is an Approved QCDR for Primary Care First Participants

The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) PRIME Registry™ is an approved Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) that supports practices participating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Primary Care First (PCF) payment model. It exists to relieve quality reporting burden, improve quality assessment and improvement, prioritize measures that matter, and attract resources to primary care to support comprehensive, relationship-rich care. Practices that do not already utilize PRIME Registry are invited to learn more, register for an interactive demo, or enroll at primeregistry.org. PRIME Registry is free for the first year for ABFM Diplomates but is open to all primary care clinicians.

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is accepting applications through May 6 at 7:30 pm ET for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program, NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program, and NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program.

Senate Bill 247 is the re-introduction of prior authorization reform legislation similar to SB 612, an effort the Health Can’t Wait coalition worked on last session. While the new bill is significantly better than SB 612, there is still advocacy work to be done to ensure it will improve outcomes for patients while reducing the prior authorization red tape physicians are forced to navigate. SB 247 has been referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee and will be up for a hearing in the coming weeks. We also expect the House to introduce its own version of prior authorization reform legislation sometime before the end of April. 

Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan's interactive "Beyond Clinical & Curriculum" webinar series is designed for residents and medical students to explore the variety of family medicine practice options. Three webinars will be held in the evening on April 20, 21, and 22, featuring a panel of seasoned family physicians sharing their experiences and answering questions in real-time. The cost for the series is just $25 for MAFP members.

Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan is accepting applications from residents and students interested in serving as a delegate or alternate delegate to AAFP’s National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students (conference registration is open). Resident and student congresses will meet during the virtual conference, July 29-Aug. 1. One of the most important roles of chapter delegates is to vote in the resident and student leader elections. They also write, debate, and vote on resolutions. Resolutions generated by the resident and student congresses are referred to the AAFP Board of Directors and commissions for further development or action. Click here for information about the roles and responsibilities of chapter delegates. The deadline to apply is May 1.

The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program awards scholarships to medical students pursuing an education in eligible primary care health professions and who are committed to practice in an underserved community. Scholars receive financial support for each year of service at an NHSC-approved site. Applications are due by May 11 at 7:30 pm ET.

After a one-year hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Michigan Family Medicine Research Day is scheduled for Thursday, May 27, 10 am-12 pm ET. This 43^rd annual gathering of physicians, residents, and students from across the state provides a virtual platform for sharing the latest family medicine research in Michigan. Registration is open. Lecture and e-poster presentation abstracts are due by Apr. 16. Recorded presentations and e-posters are due by Apr. 26.

A series of supplements from AAFP’s FPM journal aims to clarify what the shift from volume- to value-based payment (VBP) models mean for family physicians and how they can succeed in a VBP environment. Stay tuned as AAFP continues to roll out resources and tools to help family physicians thrive in an increasingly value-based healthcare system.

Full-time Family Medicine Physician, Cass City, MI

FM, IM, or Geriatrics, Lansing, MI

Find More Jobs | Post a Job