PAFP President Op/Ed: Putting patients first — the value of a physician-led health care team
An op/ed by PAFP President, Heather Beauparlant, DO, on the importance of keeping the physician-led team intact, was published in the Chester County Times on Monday, June 9. In the article, Dr. Beauparlant explains the difference in education and training between physicians and nurse practitioners and expresses the PAFP's concerns with expanding nurse practitioner independent practice. Read the Op/Ed here.
2025 Summer SEA-M-E Conference, June 8 -12 at Dewey Beach - SEE YOU SOON.
Weren't able to attend this year? No worries, we're going back June 7-11, 2026!
PAFP and Dept. of Health Embark on Grant Program to Strengthen Family Medicine in Pennsylvania
In 2024, the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) was awarded record-level funding by the Commonwealth to advance family physician workforce development programs, focusing on increasing the family physician pipeline, as well as recruitment and retention efforts. Partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), the PAFP has developed five strategic, groundbreaking family medicine recruitment and retention projects to add to its existing Family Medicine Residency Expansion Program, with an emphasis on medical school engagement to grow production of family medicine physicians. Read details here.
PAFP Responds to Gov. Shapiro's Call for CRNP Independent Practice
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Gov. Josh Shapiro gave his budget address for the 2025-26 fiscal year. To the PAFP's surprise and disappointment, it included a call to lawmakers to pass legislation allowing nurse practitioners to practice independently. The PAFP issued a swift response expressing disappoint with the governor's position and reiterating the importance of a physician-led health care team. The PAFP will continue to work with the administration and legislators to find solutions to health care access issues that prioritize patient safety. Read the PAFP's response here.
Support the PAFP's Political Action Committee
PAFP’s advocacy efforts include a combination
of lobbying, grassroots advocacy, and political engagement. PAFP-PAC is the bipartisan political action committee for family medicine in Pennsylvania, funded through
individual contributions from our members. PAFP-PAC supports candidates
running for the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives who understand and sympathize
with the issues impacting family physicians and their patients. Will you support PAFP-PAC’s mission and help us reach our goal of 25% participation in 2025? Contribute today!
Notice to Members: Proposed Bylaw Changes Under Consideration
We wish to inform all members that proposed changes to the organization's bylaws are currently under review. These potential amendments are intended to expand voter eligibility and improve definitions related to the Academy’s component assemblies. Click here for a draft of the proposed changes. Members may review and provide feedback prior to any vote or formal adoption by the PAFP Board of Directors. Comments will be accepted until July 6, 2025 and may be sent to Brent Ennis, Executive Vice President and CEO, PAFP.
