Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians

The Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the state chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Established in 1948, WAFP is the largest physician specialty group in Wisconsin, with nearly 3,000 members[1].

Mission and Vision

• Mission: The WAFP aims to promote excellence and equity in health for all people in Wisconsin through the advancement of the art and science of Family Medicine.
• Vision: The organization envisions competent, compassionate, thriving family physicians advancing the health of their communities[1].

Role in Family Medicine

Family medicine is a medical specialty providing comprehensive and continuous primary health care for individuals and families. It integrates biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences, encompassing all ages, sexes, organ systems, and disease entities. Family physicians devote their careers to advocating for patients' needs, taking responsibility for their long-term care, and developing lasting relationships with them[1].

Educational Support

The WAFP supports Family Medicine student groups and offers positions on its boards and committees to students and residents. It collaborates closely with medical schools and residency programs in Wisconsin, which includes four top-ranked medical schools: University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Central Wisconsin, and Green Bay. There are 19 residency programs in Family Medicine throughout Wisconsin, attracting residents from across the U.S. and internationally[1].

Retention of Family Physicians

Approximately 52% of Family Medicine residents choose to remain in Wisconsin to practice, with nearly half opting for rural settings[1]. This retention rate highlights the significance of WAFP's efforts in developing and supporting new family physicians in the state.

Philanthropic Arm: Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians Foundation

The Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (WAFP-Foundation), established in 1982, is the philanthropic arm of the WAFP. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a nine-member board of directors. The Foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of family health care in Wisconsin by supporting education, research, and philanthropic projects[2][3].

Initiatives

• Encouraging Future Family Physicians: The WAFP-Foundation encourages pre-medical and medical students to pursue family medicine by supporting their education and engaging them in activities that promote the specialty[3].
• Stethoscopes for Residents: The Foundation gives away stethoscopes to residents in Family Medicine residency programs across Wisconsin annually, including presentations on the benefits of WAFP membership[3].
• Future of Family Medicine Endowment Fund: This endowment fund supports ongoing initiatives by using investment income for special projects while maintaining the principal for future growth[3].

Collaboration with State Workforce Initiatives

WAFP participates in broader state health care workforce planning through its membership in the Wisconsin Council on Medical Education and Workforce (WCMEW), which aims to ensure a health care workforce that meets the needs of Wisconsin citizens[5].