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Home About ABFM Partners About Partners ABFM is proud to work collaboratively with many partners and other family medicine organizations to support and advance the specialty of family medicine and the future family physician through certification, leadership development, and education and training. Expand All Collapse All American Academy of Family Physicians The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is the national association of family physicians. With 129,600 members in 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, as well as internationally, it is one of the largest national medical organizations, and it is the only medical society dedicated solely to primary care. The mission of the AAFP is to improve the health of patients, families, and communities by serving the needs of members with professionalism and creativity. As most ABFM Diplomates are also AAFP members, the AAFP regularly advocates for them and that of the specialty of Family Medicine. To reduce the administrative burden of reporting certification activities for family physicians, and consistent with the privacy policies of both organizations, the AAFP and ABFM regularly share authorized certification and continuing medical education (CME) completion information. The strength of the “family” of family medicine organizations working together to address shared concerns for the discipline creates greater opportunity for collaborations that yield the most impactful results. The AAFP, through its Robert Graham Center, also engages with ABFM on research of importance to our specialty and the profession. Through the Pisacano Leadership Foundation, ABFM also provides support for scholars in residence at the Graham Center. Learn More American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Its mission is to advance the values of family medicine through humanitarian, educational and scientific philanthropy dedicated to improving health. The AAFP Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization and supports more than 20 programs each year. Learn More American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) is a professional medical association that represents more than 25,000 practicing osteopathic family physicians, residents, and students throughout the United States. The ACOFP works to promote excellence in osteopathic family medicine through quality education, visionary leadership, and responsible advocacy. Physicians who trained or completed training in a 3-year AOA-accredited family medicine residency or an AOA program that has received ACGME pre-accreditation or initial accreditation are eligible to apply for initial certification with ABFM provided the requirements for certification entry are met. The eligibility period for initial certification began in December 2018 and concluded December 31, 2025. Learn More Association of Departments of Family Medicine The Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM) is comprised of the chairs and senior administrators of Departments of Family Medicine, as well as other senior department leaders (as Associate Members). Representing 150 Departments of Family Medicine across the U.S., ADFM holds an annual Winter Meeting each February that attracts over 200 institutional leaders from larger Academic Medical Centers who are leading innovations in clinical care delivery, education of medical students, training of residents, and conduct of research. Learn More Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors The Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors (AFMRD) inspires and empowers family medicine residency program directors to achieve excellence in family medicine residency training, through the support and development of a vibrant community of residency directors engaged in excellence, mutual assistance, and innovation to train future family physicians to meet the health care needs of the public. ABFM worked closely with AFMRD to develop and deploy an annual national survey of graduates of family medicine residency programs, with aggregate results provided specific to each residency program that compare them to national data on all parameters assessed. The ABFM recently supported a group waiver application, facilitated by AFMRD, allowing 25 family medicine residency programs to develop scheduling innovations centered on continuity clinical practice for residents. Learn More Center for the History of Family Medicine The ABFM Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM). Housed at the AAFP headquarters and administered by the AAFP Foundation, CHFM serves as the principal resource center for the collection, conservation, study, exhibition, and dissemination of materials relating to the evolving history of the specialty of Family Medicine in the United States. As a combination historical research library, archives, and museum, the CHFM is a valuable resource to anyone interested in the origins of the specialty and its evolution over time. Learn More North American Primary Care Research Group The North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) is an international, multidisciplinary organization for primary care researchers. Founded in 1972 and oriented to family medicine, NAPCRG has members from all primary care generalist disciplines and related fields, including epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and health services research. The ABFM Foundation has long been a supporter of the Grant Generating Project at NAPCRG and currently sponsors scholarships for two researchers to attend this valuable offering to enhance their skill at grant writing. Learn More Society of Teachers of Family Medicine The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) is an association of medical school and residency program faculty, community preceptors, residency program directors, residents, students, and others dedicated to the advancement of family medicine education. ABFM has supported a series of STFM initiatives to improve faculty development and engage community physicians in teaching medical students. One outcome of this collaborative, multi-organizational effort was a major revision in CMS guidelines on student documentation in electronic health records. Ongoing work supported by ABFM includes a national learning collaborative to pilot standardized student and preceptor onboarding, and development of a Precepting Performance Improvement Program that allows academic units to offer ABFM Performance Improvement credit to family physicians who teach medical students or residents and who participate in a teaching improvement activity. Learn More American Board of Medical Specialties The mission of the American Board of Medical Specialties is to serve the public and the medical profession by improving the quality of health care through setting professional standards for lifelong certification in partnership with Member Boards. Governed by a Board of Directors which includes representation from each of the 24 ABMS Member Boards and members of the public, ABMS’ focus is on improving the quality of health care to patients, families, and communities by supporting the continuous professional development of physician specialists. ABFM has representatives on key committees, including Continuing Certification; Certification; Ethics and Professionalism; Database and Information Technology; Health and Public Policy; and Governance. In addition to working closely with ABMS leadership, ABFM also collaborates with other ABMS medical specialty boards to foster efforts and relationships aimed at evolving board certification and improving the quality of health care nationally. To educate the public about the value of board certification and help patients find a board-certified physician in their area, ABMS offers an online directory at www.certificationmatters.org. This free public service is mobile-friendly and features a simplified search tool, as well as information about ABFM and the other specialty boards that certify physicians. Learn More Quick Links Value of Certification Learn more about why Board Certification is important to the patient, physicians and the public. History of ABFM Founded in 1969, ABFM became the 20th medical specialty to be recognized by ABMS. Learn more about the history of ABFM. ABFM Affiliates Working together to strengthen the specialty of family medicine through leadership development and collaboration on issues of importance to family medicine.
Expand All Collapse All American Academy of Family Physicians The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is the national association of family physicians. With 129,600 members in 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, as well as internationally, it is one of the largest national medical organizations, and it is the only medical society dedicated solely to primary care. The mission of the AAFP is to improve the health of patients, families, and communities by serving the needs of members with professionalism and creativity. As most ABFM Diplomates are also AAFP members, the AAFP regularly advocates for them and that of the specialty of Family Medicine. To reduce the administrative burden of reporting certification activities for family physicians, and consistent with the privacy policies of both organizations, the AAFP and ABFM regularly share authorized certification and continuing medical education (CME) completion information. The strength of the “family” of family medicine organizations working together to address shared concerns for the discipline creates greater opportunity for collaborations that yield the most impactful results. The AAFP, through its Robert Graham Center, also engages with ABFM on research of importance to our specialty and the profession. Through the Pisacano Leadership Foundation, ABFM also provides support for scholars in residence at the Graham Center. Learn More American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Its mission is to advance the values of family medicine through humanitarian, educational and scientific philanthropy dedicated to improving health. The AAFP Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization and supports more than 20 programs each year. Learn More American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) is a professional medical association that represents more than 25,000 practicing osteopathic family physicians, residents, and students throughout the United States. The ACOFP works to promote excellence in osteopathic family medicine through quality education, visionary leadership, and responsible advocacy. Physicians who trained or completed training in a 3-year AOA-accredited family medicine residency or an AOA program that has received ACGME pre-accreditation or initial accreditation are eligible to apply for initial certification with ABFM provided the requirements for certification entry are met. The eligibility period for initial certification began in December 2018 and concluded December 31, 2025. Learn More Association of Departments of Family Medicine The Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM) is comprised of the chairs and senior administrators of Departments of Family Medicine, as well as other senior department leaders (as Associate Members). Representing 150 Departments of Family Medicine across the U.S., ADFM holds an annual Winter Meeting each February that attracts over 200 institutional leaders from larger Academic Medical Centers who are leading innovations in clinical care delivery, education of medical students, training of residents, and conduct of research. Learn More Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors The Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors (AFMRD) inspires and empowers family medicine residency program directors to achieve excellence in family medicine residency training, through the support and development of a vibrant community of residency directors engaged in excellence, mutual assistance, and innovation to train future family physicians to meet the health care needs of the public. ABFM worked closely with AFMRD to develop and deploy an annual national survey of graduates of family medicine residency programs, with aggregate results provided specific to each residency program that compare them to national data on all parameters assessed. The ABFM recently supported a group waiver application, facilitated by AFMRD, allowing 25 family medicine residency programs to develop scheduling innovations centered on continuity clinical practice for residents. Learn More Center for the History of Family Medicine The ABFM Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM). Housed at the AAFP headquarters and administered by the AAFP Foundation, CHFM serves as the principal resource center for the collection, conservation, study, exhibition, and dissemination of materials relating to the evolving history of the specialty of Family Medicine in the United States. As a combination historical research library, archives, and museum, the CHFM is a valuable resource to anyone interested in the origins of the specialty and its evolution over time. Learn More North American Primary Care Research Group The North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) is an international, multidisciplinary organization for primary care researchers. Founded in 1972 and oriented to family medicine, NAPCRG has members from all primary care generalist disciplines and related fields, including epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and health services research. The ABFM Foundation has long been a supporter of the Grant Generating Project at NAPCRG and currently sponsors scholarships for two researchers to attend this valuable offering to enhance their skill at grant writing. Learn More Society of Teachers of Family Medicine The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) is an association of medical school and residency program faculty, community preceptors, residency program directors, residents, students, and others dedicated to the advancement of family medicine education. ABFM has supported a series of STFM initiatives to improve faculty development and engage community physicians in teaching medical students. One outcome of this collaborative, multi-organizational effort was a major revision in CMS guidelines on student documentation in electronic health records. Ongoing work supported by ABFM includes a national learning collaborative to pilot standardized student and preceptor onboarding, and development of a Precepting Performance Improvement Program that allows academic units to offer ABFM Performance Improvement credit to family physicians who teach medical students or residents and who participate in a teaching improvement activity. Learn More American Board of Medical Specialties The mission of the American Board of Medical Specialties is to serve the public and the medical profession by improving the quality of health care through setting professional standards for lifelong certification in partnership with Member Boards. Governed by a Board of Directors which includes representation from each of the 24 ABMS Member Boards and members of the public, ABMS’ focus is on improving the quality of health care to patients, families, and communities by supporting the continuous professional development of physician specialists. ABFM has representatives on key committees, including Continuing Certification; Certification; Ethics and Professionalism; Database and Information Technology; Health and Public Policy; and Governance. In addition to working closely with ABMS leadership, ABFM also collaborates with other ABMS medical specialty boards to foster efforts and relationships aimed at evolving board certification and improving the quality of health care nationally. To educate the public about the value of board certification and help patients find a board-certified physician in their area, ABMS offers an online directory at www.certificationmatters.org. This free public service is mobile-friendly and features a simplified search tool, as well as information about ABFM and the other specialty boards that certify physicians. Learn More
American Academy of Family Physicians The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is the national association of family physicians. With 129,600 members in 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, as well as internationally, it is one of the largest national medical organizations, and it is the only medical society dedicated solely to primary care. The mission of the AAFP is to improve the health of patients, families, and communities by serving the needs of members with professionalism and creativity. As most ABFM Diplomates are also AAFP members, the AAFP regularly advocates for them and that of the specialty of Family Medicine. To reduce the administrative burden of reporting certification activities for family physicians, and consistent with the privacy policies of both organizations, the AAFP and ABFM regularly share authorized certification and continuing medical education (CME) completion information. The strength of the “family” of family medicine organizations working together to address shared concerns for the discipline creates greater opportunity for collaborations that yield the most impactful results. The AAFP, through its Robert Graham Center, also engages with ABFM on research of importance to our specialty and the profession. Through the Pisacano Leadership Foundation, ABFM also provides support for scholars in residence at the Graham Center. Learn More
American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Its mission is to advance the values of family medicine through humanitarian, educational and scientific philanthropy dedicated to improving health. The AAFP Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization and supports more than 20 programs each year. Learn More
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) is a professional medical association that represents more than 25,000 practicing osteopathic family physicians, residents, and students throughout the United States. The ACOFP works to promote excellence in osteopathic family medicine through quality education, visionary leadership, and responsible advocacy. Physicians who trained or completed training in a 3-year AOA-accredited family medicine residency or an AOA program that has received ACGME pre-accreditation or initial accreditation are eligible to apply for initial certification with ABFM provided the requirements for certification entry are met. The eligibility period for initial certification began in December 2018 and concluded December 31, 2025. Learn More
Association of Departments of Family Medicine The Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM) is comprised of the chairs and senior administrators of Departments of Family Medicine, as well as other senior department leaders (as Associate Members). Representing 150 Departments of Family Medicine across the U.S., ADFM holds an annual Winter Meeting each February that attracts over 200 institutional leaders from larger Academic Medical Centers who are leading innovations in clinical care delivery, education of medical students, training of residents, and conduct of research. Learn More
Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors The Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors (AFMRD) inspires and empowers family medicine residency program directors to achieve excellence in family medicine residency training, through the support and development of a vibrant community of residency directors engaged in excellence, mutual assistance, and innovation to train future family physicians to meet the health care needs of the public. ABFM worked closely with AFMRD to develop and deploy an annual national survey of graduates of family medicine residency programs, with aggregate results provided specific to each residency program that compare them to national data on all parameters assessed. The ABFM recently supported a group waiver application, facilitated by AFMRD, allowing 25 family medicine residency programs to develop scheduling innovations centered on continuity clinical practice for residents. Learn More
Center for the History of Family Medicine The ABFM Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM). Housed at the AAFP headquarters and administered by the AAFP Foundation, CHFM serves as the principal resource center for the collection, conservation, study, exhibition, and dissemination of materials relating to the evolving history of the specialty of Family Medicine in the United States. As a combination historical research library, archives, and museum, the CHFM is a valuable resource to anyone interested in the origins of the specialty and its evolution over time. Learn More
North American Primary Care Research Group The North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) is an international, multidisciplinary organization for primary care researchers. Founded in 1972 and oriented to family medicine, NAPCRG has members from all primary care generalist disciplines and related fields, including epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and health services research. The ABFM Foundation has long been a supporter of the Grant Generating Project at NAPCRG and currently sponsors scholarships for two researchers to attend this valuable offering to enhance their skill at grant writing. Learn More
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) is an association of medical school and residency program faculty, community preceptors, residency program directors, residents, students, and others dedicated to the advancement of family medicine education. ABFM has supported a series of STFM initiatives to improve faculty development and engage community physicians in teaching medical students. One outcome of this collaborative, multi-organizational effort was a major revision in CMS guidelines on student documentation in electronic health records. Ongoing work supported by ABFM includes a national learning collaborative to pilot standardized student and preceptor onboarding, and development of a Precepting Performance Improvement Program that allows academic units to offer ABFM Performance Improvement credit to family physicians who teach medical students or residents and who participate in a teaching improvement activity. Learn More
American Board of Medical Specialties The mission of the American Board of Medical Specialties is to serve the public and the medical profession by improving the quality of health care through setting professional standards for lifelong certification in partnership with Member Boards. Governed by a Board of Directors which includes representation from each of the 24 ABMS Member Boards and members of the public, ABMS’ focus is on improving the quality of health care to patients, families, and communities by supporting the continuous professional development of physician specialists. ABFM has representatives on key committees, including Continuing Certification; Certification; Ethics and Professionalism; Database and Information Technology; Health and Public Policy; and Governance. In addition to working closely with ABMS leadership, ABFM also collaborates with other ABMS medical specialty boards to foster efforts and relationships aimed at evolving board certification and improving the quality of health care nationally. To educate the public about the value of board certification and help patients find a board-certified physician in their area, ABMS offers an online directory at www.certificationmatters.org. This free public service is mobile-friendly and features a simplified search tool, as well as information about ABFM and the other specialty boards that certify physicians. Learn More
Quick Links Value of Certification Learn more about why Board Certification is important to the patient, physicians and the public. History of ABFM Founded in 1969, ABFM became the 20th medical specialty to be recognized by ABMS. Learn more about the history of ABFM. ABFM Affiliates Working together to strengthen the specialty of family medicine through leadership development and collaboration on issues of importance to family medicine.
Value of Certification Learn more about why Board Certification is important to the patient, physicians and the public.
History of ABFM Founded in 1969, ABFM became the 20th medical specialty to be recognized by ABMS. Learn more about the history of ABFM.
ABFM Affiliates Working together to strengthen the specialty of family medicine through leadership development and collaboration on issues of importance to family medicine.
