Alaska Academy of Family Physicians

The Alaska Academy of Family Physicians is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the practice of family medicine in Alaska. Its mission is to improve the health of Alaskan patients and their families by advancing the specialty of family medicine and addressing the unique needs of its members with professionalism and creativity.

Objectives

• Continuing Medical Education (CME): The organization provides CME opportunities, which are crucial for family physicians in Alaska. These educational events cover a wide range of clinical topics, including diabetes, asthma, obesity, heart health, kidney health, and other timely subjects. Notably, their premier CME event, the Winter Update, attracts around 100 attendees from across the state and offers workshops like musculoskeletal ultrasound[1][2].
• Advocacy and Representation: The Alaska Academy of Family Physicians serves as an advocate for family medicine, representing the interests of family physicians in Alaska and contributing to policy discussions related to health care[2].

Programs and Services

• Family Medicine Support: Beyond CME, the organization supports the placement of family practice interns across Alaska. This includes efforts to attract interns from the United States to practice in Alaska, fostering a robust healthcare workforce[4].
• Community Engagement: The Academy is committed to involving family members and promoting a holistic approach to health care. This is evident in their inclusion of family events at conferences, reflecting a commitment to creating a supportive community within the medical profession[1].
• Life Support Training: Additionally, the organization provides advanced life support services, including obstetric training, which is vital for high-quality care in rural and urban settings alike[3].

Foundation

The Alaska Academy of Family Physicians Foundation works to secure funds for supporting family medicine development in Alaska. This includes endowment funds aimed at enhancing the capacity for training family medicine interns, ensuring a sustained pool of skilled healthcare providers in the state[4].