The FAFP Foundation funds a variety of programs and projects to achieve excellence in health care and family medicine.
In today’s health care setting, both patients and physicians face numerous challenges in ensuring that optimal satisfaction is achieved. The FAFP Foundation recognizes these challenges and will meet the present needs of patients and physicians by creating Centers for Office Practice Excellence in the family physician’s office. Through progressive ideas such as group visits, electronic health records, enhanced use of staff as part of a medical team, development and monitoring of quality indicators and effective practice management systems, these innovative models of patient-centered care will:
- Enhance treatment and prevention of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension through lifestyle changes and early recognition
- Increase patient and physician satisfaction
- Increase quality of care
- Decrease cost of medical care
- Increase patient participation and education
- Improve environment of physician offices
- Decrease patient waiting time
- Increase time patients and doctors have together
- Increase pride in the specialty of family medicine
The Centers for Office Practice Excellence will be housed in Florida medical schools, residencies and key practices throughout the state. The revolution of family medicine has arrived.
Diabetes Master Clinician Program
Initiated in 2003, this program will train 800 family physician offices to provide model care for patients with diabetes. Innovative strategies, such as group visits and a Web-based disease registry to produce patient and practice report cards, will enable clinicians to ensure excellence in their care of diabetics.
Lessons Learned from the Diabetes Master Clinician Program
by Dr. Edward Shahady
Tar Wars Program
Tar Wars is a national educational course to help prevent young Floridians from tobacco use and addiction, by bringing local, Florida family physicians, residents and medical students into the classrooms of fourth and fifth grade students to increase their awareness about the short-term, image-based consequences of tobacco use. Students are educated about the tactics employed by tobacco companies to persuade young people to use their products and are engaged in interactive activities to simulate. The Foundation also supports an annual student poster contest in which students are encouraged to use their creativity, imagination and artistic ability to demonstrate why they and their friends should not smoke. Poster awardees receive sponsorship funds to attend the National Tar Wars Awards Program in Washington D.C.
Distinguished Lecture Series
The Foundation sponsors an annual lecture series honoring a Florida family physician, FAFP member or distinguished individual that demonstrates exemplary service to the Florida Academy of Family Physicians and Foundation.
Exceptional Resident Scholar Program
Starting in 2006, the Foundation will present an annual scholarship award to three promising residents in Florida. The scholarship program is merit based, and scholars will be selected by a Foundation committee.
The deadline for submission is December 1, 2007. The application and guidelines can be aquired at FAFP Foundation Exceptional Resident Scholar Program
The AAFP will also recognize outstanding research papers authored by residents with cash prizes and honorable mention certificates. Deadline for submission is November 1 , 2007. Folow the link below for more information.
The application and guidelines can be acquired at www.aafp.org/x20566.xml
For additional information, contact Bellinda K. Schoof, MHA, CPHQ at (800) 274-2237, extension 3160 or at bschoof@aafp.org.
Awards Program for Outstanding Medical School Graduates
This program provides an annual scholarship to the outstanding graduating medical school student at each of the state's allopathic medical schools (University of Florida, University of Miami, University of South Florida and Florida State University). Scholarship selection is determined by the department of family medicine at the respective schools, and recipients must demonstrate academic excellence and leadership abilities in the field of medicine.
Student Research Projects
Annual scholarships are awarded to medical students interested in conducting family practice research at their respective medical schools. The Foundation also participates in a Matching Student Externship Grant Program in which medical students and their mentoring family physicians are given a stipend for summer research projects or other activities. Directing physicians must be faculty members in the department of family medicine at one of Florida's four medical schools.
National Conference Scholarship Fund
The Foundation provides financial assistance to Florida residents and students attending the American Academy of Family Physicians' National Conference. The annual conference exposes students to family practice residency programs, residency directors and residents serving in programs throughout the United States. As the future of family medicine, students learn firsthand about the rewarding specialty and participate in debates on current health care issues.
Named Student Scholarships
The Foundation provides opportunities for individuals or corporations to establish their legacy on the future of family medicine. A named scholarship will be established by the contributor to support the academic medical training of future family physicians.
