Plans for the 63rd Annual Scientific Assembly are already underway. The meeting will be held May 14-15, 2011 at the Grand Hyatt Union Square once again. Pre-registration is now available here; cost is $149 for members. 

CAFP Members, Staff Re-Energized After Attending 62^nd ASA

CAFP held its 62^nd Annual Scientific Assembly on May 15-16 at the Grand Hyatt Union Square in San Francisco.  More than 275 family physicians spent the weekend in San Francisco and were pleased with their experience.  CAFP Executive Vice president Susan Hogeland, CAE said "Those who spoke to me personally indicated they had their batteries recharged just by being among their fellow family physicians, hearing their questions, chatting with them during meals and breaks." 

Highlights of the meeting included the truly inspiring story of AAFP Board member Jeff Cain, MD who spoke Sunday afternoon about being on the other side of a stethoscope after a private plane he was piloting crashed.  Learning to re-calibrate life after the loss of both legs is a challenge he has met, finding new ways to pursue his love of snow- and water-skiing, among other sports.  He spoke movingly about how he relates to his patients now, especially those with physical challenges.

TransforMED President Terry McGeeney, MD, and CAFP past president Len Fromer, MD provided hope of another type - hope about the future practice of family medicine as it fully transforms to patient centered care in the Patient Centered Medical Home.  Addressing the "tyranny of the urgent" through the smart application of technology and restoring the passion that family physicians bring to their practices is high on the agenda.  ASA attendees heard from past president Carla Kakutani, MD and lobbyist Tom Riley about the hope the new health care reform legislation brings to family medicine and primary care - higher payments through Medicare, support of technology transformation and support of the Patient Centered Medical Home are just a few of the provisions that lent optimism to their discussion.

Jack Chou, MD succeeded Tom Bent, MD as CAFP President. Dr. Chou, at age 38, is the youngest president in CAFP's 62-year history. He is also the Academy's first Chinese-American president as well as the first Permanente Medical Group president.

New Physician Director Jay Lee, MD, MPH greeted some of the new docs during a New FP Social; during that same time, six residency programs battled it out in the Battle of the Residents. In the end, the UCSF Fresno Family Medicine Residency Program was the victor.

The ASA proved beneficial for CAFP staff as well. New Membership Coordinator Sophia Henry, who joined the CAFP staff in January, said "it was a fantastic experience thanks to our absolutely incredible members and teammates on the CAFP staff. Initially, I looked forward to the opportunity to make connections with the members and learn how better to serve their needs. The highlight of the ASA was meeting our members' families.  It reminded me that the support and encouragement of family, friends and colleagues has a powerful effect on one's ability to overcome challenges."

Associate Director of Health Care Workforce Policy Callie Langton, MPA joined CAFP just two weeks before the ASA. "It was really fantastic to start my career here meeting all the wonderful people who make up this organization and learning about what issues are particularly salient for members," she said. "I especially enjoyed my meeting with our Residency Task Force and some program directors and assistant program directors on Sunday morning. Our discussion sparked some great ideas on how to increase the pipeline of students interested in family medicine. I look forward to implementing their suggestions in the near future."