Virtual Special Session Called to Elect Leaders
Aug. 5 2021, 3:39 p.m. News Staff — The 2021 AAFP Congress of Delegates that was planned for next month in Kansas City, Mo., is being rescheduled due to local spread of the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. Delegates will instead meet virtually in a special session Sept. 27-28 to elect the president-elect, speaker, vice speaker and directors, with other business postponed until a future live meeting.
With the growing predominance of the delta variant, community spread of COVID-19 in the Kansas City area is increasing, and the situation is expected to continue for the next four to six weeks. Compounding the risk, the AAFP cannot control the vaccination status of other guests and staff at the planned meeting site. In addition, new travel restrictions from some academic institutions and employers may have prevented some delegates from traveling to COD during the original dates of Sept. 27-29.
“The members of the AAFP Board of Directors, including the speakers, regret having to postpone the 2021 COD meeting, but we feel this is in the best interest of our members, the patients and communities we so proudly serve, and our organization,” said Board Chair Gary LeRoy, M.D., of Dayton, Ohio, and Speaker Alan Schwartzstein, M.D., of Oregon, Wis., in an Aug. 4 letter to delegates, alternate delegates and chapter executives.
After receiving feedback from chapters across the country that showed a strong desire to hold COD in person, the Board intends to reschedule a live 2021 Congress to convene no later than Feb. 28, 2022.
