About the OAFP - Oregon Academy of Family Physicians

The Oregon Academy of Family Physicians is the medical specialty society for family physicians in Oregon. It is the largest medical specialty society in the state, with over 1300 members consisting of practicing family physicians, residents in training and medical students with an interest in family medicine, as well as retired family doctors. It is affiliated with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), which has 98,000 members throughout the United States.

The Oregon Academy was established as an Oregon corporation in 1947.

Our Mission

The mission of the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians is to advocate for family physicians and assist them in providing for the health of their patients and communities.

What is a Family Physician?

A family physician is a medical doctor who specializes in Family Medicine. The specialty of Family Medicine provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family. It is the specialty in breadth which integrates the biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences. The scope of Family Practice Medicine encompasses all ages, both sexes, each organ system and every disease entity.

OAFP's Policy about Pharmaceutical Funding

In November 2007, the OAFP Board of Directors voted unanimously that the OAFP shall forego pharmaceutical financial support in its operations, including CME programs and magazine advertising. The purpose of this declaration was to provide assurance to the Board, Academy members and the general public that the Academy is free from any undue or perceived influence from the pharmaceutical industry in its policies, programs and operations.

Accordingly, the OAFP will not accept pharmaceutical exhibitors at OAFP sponsored CME, nor will it accept unrestricted financial grants from pharmaceutical companies. Inclusive within this category is vaccine manufacturers. The OAFP expects that as a result, its programs will be free from both actual undue industry influence and the perception of undue industry influence in these scientific presentations.

Occasionally, the OAFP is offered a CME program from a 3rd party. Examples include other state Academies, national associations and universities. In evaluating these programs, we acknowledge that pharmaceutical dollars fund a great deal of basic science and research, and most likely, one or more pharmaceutical companies provided support for this program at some point in its creation. It is unrealistic to trace back the funding sources of every CME program. When considering these programs, our due diligence will include discussions with the CME provider and assurances as to the complete autonomy of the subject matter.

Occasionally we will engage a speaker who has a relationship with one or more pharmaceutical companies (typically participation on a speaker’s bureau). When this happens, we will ask the speaker to complete the paperwork for the AAFP’s designation of Evidence Based CME. Also, when we disclose those affiliations to the audience, we will explain that the OAFP is paying all the speaker’s expenses and that there are no pharmaceutical industry representatives present at the meeting.

We believe this policy will accomplish our goal of avoiding both the presence of undue pharmaceutical industry influence and the perception of influence.

Chapter Staff

Kerry Gonzales is the Executive Director of the OAFP. She grew up in Colorado and moved to Oregon to attend college. She graduated from Lewis and Clark College in 1976. Before joining us at the OAFP in 1991, she was the Administrator for a law firm in Portland. She and her husband Marc have two children.

OAFP Governance Structure

The OAFP is governed by a Board of Directors which takes its directions from a Congress made up of the members. There are three Commissions which work with the Board of Directors: The Commission on External Affairs, the Commission on Internal Affairs and the Commission on Education.

The Commission on External Affairs:

This commission consists of 3 or more members, including the Chair.

According to by OAFP's bylaws, the function of this commission shall be to oversee the Academy's interaction with external entities which may have an impact on family practice or family physicians in the state, including but not limited to the US Congress; the Oregon Legislature; agencies of the State of Oregon; the general public; OHSU; OMA and other specialty societies.

Originally, this Commission was charged with developing a legislative agenda and being a watch-dog for issues related to areas such as hospitalists, risk management, public health and privileging. They were also asked to develop policies related to professional relationships with mid-level providers, other specialists and family physicians in managed care.

The major responsibilities of this Commission are:

• Public Policy Committee for OAFP when Oregon legislature is in session
• Serve on the OMA's legislative committee
• Develop key contact system

The Commission on Internal Affairs:

This commission consists of 3 or more members, including the Chair.

According to by OAFP's bylaws, the function of this commission shall be to oversee the internal operations of the Academy with the advice of the Treasurer, including but not limited to personnel matters, operation of the Academy office, acquisition of equipment and communication with members.

Originally, this Commission was charged with investigating membership issues including ways to involve the membership more in the Academy and building systems for member support. This commission is involved in enhancing Academy communication with members through publications and our web site.

The major responsibilities of this Commission are:

• Budget every June/July
• Long Range Planning Meetings
• Website enhancements

The Commission on Education:

This commission consists of 3 or more members, including the Chair.

According to by OAFP's bylaws, the function of this commission is to conduct, develop or assist in programs, lectures, courses or other means of postgraduate medical education, for the benefit of the members and of the profession at large and to assess the educational needs of the membership and address the needs thus determined.

Originally, this Commission was charged with facilitating practice-based research and looking at alternative educational methods in addition to our successful traditional programs.

The major responsibilities of this Commission are:

• Annual Scientific Assembly
• FP OB/Ski and Women's Health Conference
• ALSO Course
• Periodic assessment of educational needs