MISSISSIPPI ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS
Newsletter - August 10, 2023
New MAFP Officers, Board
MAFP members elected new officers and board members at the Annual Business Session on Monday, July 17. We are proud to announce the 2023-24 Academy leaders:
OFFICERS 2022-23
President: Stephen Hammack, MD, FAAFP, Madison
President-Elect: John PFH Vanderloo, MD, FAAFP, Jackson
Vice President: Bradley Suggs, MD, FAAFP, Brandon
Treasurer: Chrystal A. Sumrall, MD, Laurel
Secretary: James W. Ervin, Chrystal Springs
Immediate Past President: Paul M. Pavlov, MD, Biloxi
NATIONAL DELEGATES
Delegate: Lucius Lampton, MD, FAAFP, Magnolia
Delegate: Brent Smith, MD, FAAFP, Cleveland
Alternate: Jennifer Gholson, MD
Alternate: Dustin Gentry, MD, Louisville
DISTRICT DIRECTORS
District 1: Rickey L. Chance, DO, Biloxi
District 2: Katie O. Royals, MD, Hattiesburg
District 3: Anna Marie Hailey Sharp, MD, Preston
District 4: Anthony Cloy, MD, Jackson
District 5: Amy Hollman, MD, Brandon
District 6: Marketta Blue, MD, Mound Bayou
District 7: Emily Landrum, MD, Starkville
District 8: Christopher Park, DO, Pontotoc
At Large Director: Patrick Whipple, MD, Canton
At Large Director: Jeremy B. Wells, MD, Hattiesburg
NEW FOUNDATION DIRECTORS
Anthony Carter, MD, Greenville
Renee O Dyess, MD, Lena
Barrett Jones, MD, Jackson
RESIDENT DIRECTORS
MAFP Board Resident Member: Dr. Chrystal Salako, MS Delta FMR, Greenville
MAFP Board Resident Alternate: Dr. Steven Burkett, EC Health Net FMR, Greenville
Foundation Resident Member: Dr. Alex Huff, MD, Forrest General FMR, Hattiesburg
Foundation Resident Alternate: Dr. Dominique Joseph, MD, MS Delta FMRP, Greenville
STUDENT DIRECTORS
MAFP Student Member: Syed Mohammed Amanuddin, WCUCOM
MAFP Student Alternate: Caleb Aultman, UMMC
Foundation Student Member: Hetal Champaneri, WCUCOM
Foundation Student Alternate: Jana Taylor, UMMC
2023 MAFP Family Physician of the Year
Although he was born in a neighboring state, this year’s Family Physician of the Year made the move to Mississippi early on and has never looked back. He earned his Master’s degree at a Mississippi university and his MD degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.

​As a medical student, he served as president of the Family Practice Club and became involved in both MAFP and AAFP representing our academy at the AAFP Resident and Student National Meeting. 

​After an out-of-state Family Medicine residency and brief practice in that state, our honoree did the unthinkable in this day and time and returned to Mississippi to eventually set up his own clinic.

​After being accepted to medical school, our honoree paid a visit to his longtime family doctor who encouraged him to become involved in the political arena because he could see that even back then people other than physicians were making decisions affecting medicine, our patients, and how we practiced in our clinics. Our recipient obviously accepted that advice and ultimately served as MAFP president.

​An avid aviator, our recipient serves as an FAA Senior Aviation Medical Examiner. It’s our good fortune he switched from originally wanting to be a fighter pilot to fighting the good fight for his patients and our specialty.

​Our 2023 Family Physician of the Year is Dr. David Wheat of Clinton. The award is presented annually to the family physician contributing the most to the development of family medicine in Mississippi. It recognizes a physician who provides his or her community with compassionate and comprehensive medical service on a continuous basis. They must be directly and effectively involved in community affairs and activities that enhance the quality of life in his or her home area.
2023 MAFP Young Physician of the Year
The New Physician of the Year award is given to one outstanding family physician each year who completed residency training within the last seven years.

This year’s winner received his BS degree in Biological Sciences before earning his MD degree at UMMC where he was the beneficiary of a Rural Physicians Scholarship. He then completed a Family Medicine residency, serving as chief resident. 

​He is now a primary care physician in a rural access hospital as well as the medical director for a home health agency.

Our honoree serves on our MAFP Foundation Board of Directors as well as the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program Commission Board.

The future of our specialty rests with our young family physicians and we are proud to announce that our 2023 MAFP Young Physician of the Year is Dr. Jonathan Buchanan of Carthage.
MAFP Committees Gearing Up – Get Involved
MAFP President Dr. Stephen Hammack has named Chairs for the MAFP Committees for the upcoming year.  They are listed on the website link below. 
 
Member involvement is important to the strategic direction of the MAFP. The charge and activities of each committee provide leadership and direction on a variety of MAFP initiatives. Become part of our invigorating efforts to advance the specialty of family medicine, strengthen the health care workforce and enhance your ability to provide high quality, cost-effective patient care to your communities
 
The MAFP standing committees include: (1) Advocacy Committee, (2) Academy Operations Committee, (3) Workforce Committee, (4) Professional Development Committee, and (5) Public Awareness Committee. If you are interested in participating in a MAFP committee and the work they do, please read more.  https://www.msafp.org/get-involved/committees/
 
Family Medicine to Caucus August 12 at the
Mississippi State Medical Association's Annual Session
Family medicine will caucus on Saturday, August 12 directly after the candidate speeches at 11:15 am during the MS State Medical Association’s Annual Session to be held August 11-12 in Flowood. Dr. Stephen Hammack, MAFP President will preside over the caucus meeting and will serve as MAFP's official delegate.
 
Several MAFP members are on the MSMA Ballot and we encourage you to consider your fellow members when voting. MAFP members are indicated on the linked ballot. The election will take place Saturday, Aug. 12.
 
MAFP has several resolutions that will be presented during the House of Delegates meetings beginning Friday, August 11 at 10:30 aj. 
 
Dr. John Mitchell will be the center of attention at the Presidential Inauguration Dinner on Friday, August 11. Congrats Dr. Mitchell and we wish you a successful term as MSMA President.