The SDAFP would like to take this opportunity to announce that Dr. Dan Heinemann is currently seeking a position on the Board level for the AAFP. Dr. Heinemann is currently a practicing family physician in Canton, SD. He has devoted countless hours not only to the SDAFP, having served as President of the SDAFP from 1993-1994, but also has been involved nationally at the AAFP level. He has served as Alternate Delegate, and currently as Delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates, and on the AAFP Legislation and Governmental Affairs Commission. Dr. Heinemann believes "that physicians sitting on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians elevate the status of organized medicine and physicians in South Dakota. Not too many people know that we are interested and active in the health of our patients individually as well as our patients collectively across the state. South Dakota physicians typically do more with less, and I think we can show our counterparts across the country some good ways to provide care and access to care for our patients."

What significance would there be, as an individual practicing physician from a small state like South Dakota, to have a member on the Board of Directors of the AAFP? According to Dr. Heinemann: "I truly believe that in the next 3-5 years there will be significant changes in the health care delivery system in this country. We are on a collision course with collapse if we don’t do something about the rising number of the uninsured, the disparity among geographic regions in this country, or being able to deal with access to the types of plans that are available not only to seniors, but to all people with regards to health care coverage. I think South Dakota has a different perspective with regards to that health care delivery system design. I think it will be a tremendous opportunity for South Dakota physicians to speak at a national level about how best to design a health care delivery system for our country."

The amount of time involved with a commitment of this magnitude is staggering. We all know how much time we spend with our practice, as well as community service, all of which ultimately takes more time away from our families. Besides the time involvement, there is also a significant financial responsibility. The SDAFP would request that any monetary donations would be appreciated to be able to assist Dr. Heinemann in this endeavor. Dr. Heinemann is truly looking forward to bringing to the Board the perspective of a South Dakota Physician. "I truly find this part of medicine to be very rewarding, and I am ready to give myself the challenge of taking my involvement to a higher level."

The SDAFP Board would like to take this opportunity to support Dr. Heinemann as he aspires to be involved at the AAFP Board level. Any and all correspondence and support for Dr. Heinemann can be sent to Mary Stoddard, executive director of the SDAFP.

Dan Reiffenberger