The Phoenix

The story is much richer than proportions. Women now lead across the specialty. Almost 30% of chairs of departments of family medicine are now women, among the highest of clinical specialties. At ABFM, Dr. Lauren Hughes recently completed her term as board chair, just as Dr. Andrea Anderson was recently elected as board chair elect.

Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize is the current president of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), Dr. Renee Crichlow is the president of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM), succeeding Dr. Linda Myerholtz. Dr. Kristina Diaz is the president of the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors (AFMRD), succeeding Dr. Kim Stutzman and will be followed by president-elect Dr. Sarah Cole...

Dr. Baxley joined ABFM in 2018 after a 31-year career of teaching and providing full-scope family medicine. She also served on the ABFM Board of Directors from 2013-2018, and as chair from 2017-2018.

ABFM staff will forever be grateful for Dr. Baxley’s dedication to the mission of ABFM, her passion for education, and her continuous support of our staff and Diplomates. We wish you the very best for a well-deserved retirement full of adventures!

ABFM also welcomes the following new members to its Board of Directors: Grant S. Hoekzema, MD, of Creve Coeur, MO; Brenessa M. Lindeman, MD, MEHP, of Birmingham, AL; Barbra G. Rabson, MPH, of Brighton, MA; and Stephen A. Wilson, MD, MPH, of Boston, MA. The new board members will each serve a five-year term.

Sharing the work of Dr. Christine Hancock, a family physician and medical director in Bellingham, WA, who treats a diverse rural/urban patient population. We also discuss Dr. Hancock’s work with patients suffering from chronic pain and opioid use disorder.

A study of ABFM Diplomates found that women were more likely than men to report symptoms of burnout at the beginning and ends of their careers, with the highest rates occurring in those under 40 years of age. The survey of physicians who were three-years out of residency indicate that 44% of the women in the sample met typical criteria for burnout.

“We are pleased to be a co-sponsor of this new CAQ,” said ABFM President and CEO Warren Newton, MD, MPH. “In addition to the recognition and furthering of important administrative skills, this CAQ offers the potential to position family physicians as leaders in different health care delivery systems. It will offer relevant, role-specific opportunities for family physician leaders to tailor their Family Medicine Continuing Certification experience.”