AAFP members discuss international issues in Philadelphia

The AAFP International Networking Meeting was one of the special events during the AAFP Scientific Assembly, in Philadelphia. It was organized by the International Activities Office to provide AAFP members interested in global health with an extra opportunity to share, network and develop connections that potentially would lead to opportunities for individual physicians, educators or institutions to collaborate.

The underlying theme of the meeting was “who is doing what, where”. About 80 members and international guests participated in the event. Dr Ostergaard, AAFP Vice President for Health of the Public and Interprofessional Activities, facilitated the networking by introducing participants and giving them a chance to tell about their projects and programs in different parts of the world.

Photo: Tessa Robinson, of the St. Lucia hospital telling the participants of their collaboration with Dr Lisa Fleischer (sitting) from Montana

Dr Bohumil Seifert, Chair of the Organizing Committee of WONCA 2013 World Conference in Prague, and Dr Sylvester Tola Osinowo, WONCA Africa Regional President, were among international assembly participants who found time in their busy schedule to attend the International Networking meeting.

Photo: Dr Bohumil Seifert talking about WONCA 2013 World Conference in Prague

WONCA 2013 Prague World conference was given a complimentary in-house booth in the Assembly’s Exposition Hall where Dr Seifert and his staff disseminated information about the up-coming triennial conference in Prague: its scientific program, invited speakers, registration and abstract submission. This live CME activity has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 20.25 prescribed credit(s) by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the AAFP Foundation’s announcement about launching a new humanitarian program, Family Medicine Cares – International. Dr Mary Jo Welker, AAFP Foundation President, informed participants that the program will be implemented in Haiti in collaboration with Heart to Heart International, a US-based non-profit disaster relief organization. The first group of volunteers – physicians, medical educators and service project non-medical volunteers – is scheduled to go to Haiti, in February 2013. The meeting was sponsored by Welch Allyn, a US manufacturer of diagnostic equipment and a long-standing supporter of AAFP’s global humanitarian projects.

Photo: Dr Mary Jo Welker (first on the right) with colleagues from Heart to Heart International and AAFP members: (sitting right to left) Dr Franz Codio, Haiti Project Medical Director, Dr Gary Morsch, Heart to Heart President, Mr Andre Butler, Heart to Heart Executive Vice President, and an AAFP member; (standing right to left): Steve Weber, Haiti In-country Director, an AAFP member and Dr Jane Weida, AAFP Foundation Vice President.

More from the AAFP Assembly

WONCA North America meets during the AAFP Assembly in Philadelphia
AAFP Global Health Workshop gains more international interest