Multi State Forum is Back

The annual Multi-State Forum was held in February, with MAFP leadership and team attending the two-day conference in Dallas, Texas. This Forum is always an excellent opportunity for learning and networking among peers.

MAFP delegates this year were Kara Mayes, MD, President; Afsheen Patel, MD, President-Elect; Natalie Long, MD, VicePresident; and Todd Shaffer, MD, AAFP Board Director. Kathy Pabst, Executive Director, and Bill Plank, Assistant Executive Director, also attended the event. State chapters participating in this regional event are Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, Colorado, Texas, California, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Montana.

Tochi Iroku-Malize, MD, AAFP President, shared an inspirational story about her journey and equity challenges as an African American patient. We had an opportunity to ask Shawn Martin, AAFP EVP/CEO questions about AAFP and its strategic direction, followed by an advocacy update by David Tulley, AAFP Vice President of Government Relations.

Attendees had an opportunity to discuss topics about GME, prior authorization, workforce issues, and other topics in small groups. Gary LeRoy, MD, ABFM Senior Vice President of Diplomate Experience, provided an update on changes occurring at the ABFM. Federal and state drug pricing was an insightful session, followed by chapter governance restructuring. Kathy Pabst presented a session on the need, process, and results of the survey of Missouri residency expansion and barriers.