Celebration in Jackson During Capitol Day

Over 40 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students joined MAFP at the State Capitol on Jan. 30 for Capitol Day, a day of networking with legislators and showcasing family medicine’s impact on the state.

Highlighting the day was the proclamation of Family Medicine Week in Mississippi, signed by Gov. Phil Bryant in honor of the Academy’s 70th anniversary. MAFP President Dr. David Wheat of Clinton had a private meeting with Gov. Bryant as he signed the proclamation in MAFP’s honor that day.

The day was a great way to meet legislators, said EC HealthNet resident Dr. Lindsey McCormick of Meridian. “MAFP gave us all contact numbers for our local senator and house rep, and I sent a text to each to let them know I was at the Capitol and would love to meet with them if time allowed. Rep. Charles Young Jr. of Meridian responded within the hour,” she said. “He came to our event and specifically asked to meet with me, by name, and we got to take photos and spend time talking about Family Medicine and Meridian and found we had a lot in

common around the community. He was very friendly and very easy to talk with and even offered to meet for dinner once back in Meridian!”

The day started with a breakfast in the Capitol rotunda, followed by a tour of both the Capitol building and the Capitol Medical Clinic. After being introduced in the

Senate gallery, several people met with legislators privately and attended committee meetings.

Representatives Patricia Willis of Diamondhead and Bill Denny of Jackson with Dr. John Vanderloo of Jackson.

Representative Charles Young of Meridian with Drs. Lindsey McCormick and Moumita Biswas, also of Meridian.

Celebratory cake was served to members and legislators at Capitol Day in honor of MAFP’s 70th anniversary.

At the afternoon reception, 83 legislators attended and received a goodie bag with information about Family Medicine and a pottery mug. The reception featured celebratory cake for MAFP’s 70th anniversary.

Many thanks to MEA Medical Clinics for attending and doing health screenings. Representatives also attended from the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce and the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program. Many of the students who attended were Rural Scholars interested in family medicine.

More than 40 family physicians, residents and students wore their white coats to the State Capitol and participated in a day of legislative activities January 30.