Spring 2001

2001: The Family Practice Odyssey

April 26-28 will find the SDAFP Board of Directors and representatives of our Special Constituencies in Kansas City being re-energized and re-inspired to do the work of the Academy.

The Annual Leadership Forum (ALF), along with the National Conference of Special Constituencies (NCSC) meets during that time at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, as a time to network, participate in leadership development, and learn about the changing health system.

The AAFP defines the special constituencies as family physicians who are women, minority, new physicians, international medical graduates, and gay, lesbian or transgender physicians. It provides opportunities to network with others who share similar concerns, as well as propose policy to be presented to the AAFP Congress of Delegates. Dr. Valerie Hearns has been designated as our minority representative, Dr. Sarah Reiffenberger as our woman representative, and Dr. Dan Reiffenberger as our new physician representative.

Both groups will co-convene for Friday and Saturday morning sessions and then separate for the afternoons. ALF participants will have the opportunity to participate in 6 breakout sessions, with topics such as "Mentoring: The Art of Successfully Developing People," "Successfully Leading Without Intimidating," "Effective Legislative Advocacy," and "Personal Data Assistants: Enhancing Your Personal Lifestyle."

Friday morning Plenary Session Speaker, Leland R. Kaiser, Ph.D. promises to take us on a journey into the future and view family medicine in the next decade.

Saturday noon Plenary Session Speaker, Dale Dauten, will speak about "Where the Wild Brains Roam."

NCSC participants will spend their afternoons in business and policy proposing sessions, while ALF participants will attend more breakout sessions.

While anyone may attend ALF, you must be officially designated as the representative of a specific chapter to attend the NCSC portion. SDAFP feels that this leadership training time is so important, that we partially reimburse the board members and official representatives who go. If you are interested in representing SDAFP in any of these special constituency positions in future years, please let us know!