Kim Yu, MD, FAAFP, DABFM, a family physician who practices in Orange County, this month begins a one-year term as president of the more than 10,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP). In this role, Dr. Yu will lead CAFP’s work to advance payment reform and drive meaningful system transformation, strengthen and diversify the family medicine workforce, champion public health, health equity, and evidence-based care, and support physician wellness while sustaining joy in the practice of medicine.
“Family medicine is the specialty for those who want to practice comprehensive, whole-person care and build deep relationships with patients and communities,” said Dr. Yu. “It is rooted in ensuring no one is left behind, especially the most vulnerable, and gives us the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across generations.”
Dr. Yu’s path to family medicine was deeply personal. Inspired by her mother’s battle with chronic kidney disease and the compassionate care provided by her family physician, she chose the specialty to honor that legacy. “Seeing the difference that kind of presence made during the hardest moments of our lives taught me what it means to truly care for patients,” she said. “I chose family medicine to provide that same empathy, steadiness, and whole-person care to others.”
Dr. Yu brings extensive leadership experience at the state and national levels. She previously served as President and Board Chair of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and has held multiple leadership roles within the American Academy of Family Physicians, including serving as a delegate to the Congress of Delegates and as Convener of the National Conference of Constituency Leaders. Since moving to California, she has remained actively engaged with CAFP, serving in chapter leadership, on the Member Engagement Committee, and most recently as Speaker and President-Elect.
She will guide CAFP during a critical time for health care, as California faces ongoing challenges related to access, workforce shortages, and health disparities. Strengthening the primary care workforce, advancing payment reform, protecting public health, and supporting physician well-being are among her top priorities.
“We are at a pivotal moment for health care and for family medicine,” Dr. Yu said. “There is a growing recognition of the need for a more just and accessible system, and family physicians are essential to that transformation. When we invest in primary care, we invest in healthier communities.”
Dr. Yu currently serves as a physician with Kaiser Permanente Urgent Care and as a PRIME National Strategy Consultant with the American Board of Family Medicine. She is also actively involved in teaching, leadership development, and advancing equity in care. In addition, she serves as the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Liaison to the World Health Organization, representing family physicians on the global stage.
