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Then it was over. It seems like I was just inaugurated and now my year as President is over. And what a year it has been.
I want to thank each of you for your support and hospitality this past year. As I have traveled the country this year, you have welcomed me to your state meetings and to our colleges and you have fed me far too well. I also want to thank all of you who have taken time to write to me about a variety of issues. While it may seem strange, I especially appreciate those who shared your concerns and frustrations. I hope that I was able to provide some answers to reassure you that the ACOFP is already addressing your concerns.
As I reflect on the accomplishments of this year, I find they are too numerous to detail here but I will mention a few.
First, I must admit that I have accomplished nothing on my own. Throughout this year, I have been supported by the finest board, committees and association staff in the profession. Your Board has been forward looking, proactive leaders. As an organization, we have tried to look 2, 3, even 5 years down the road and have taken steps to help our members be prepared for the evolving practice environment. This philosophy is reflected in our strategic plan that was recently adopted by the ACOFP Congress of Delegates.
One of the areas where the ACOFP has made great progress is in engaging in the greater profession. This is directly related to our involvement in Family Medicine for America's Health. Our participation in FMAH has opened doors in many different areas. We have become a part of "The Working Party" an organization of family medicine organizations that come together to tackle the broad issues facing family medicine. We have received invitations to join with organizations such as the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors , and the North American Primary Care Research Group. Participation with these organizations has allowed us to leverage our limited resources to provide a broader range of service to our members.
Another area where ACOFP has stepped up its game is in our Washington advocacy. This past May, Ryan McBride joined the ACOFP staff as Director of Legislative Affairs. Ryan's previous work on Capitol Hill has served us well this year and ACOFP is developing an independent voice on legislative and regulatory issues. This increased visibility has lead to invitations to participate in White House events, roundtable meetings at the Brookings Institute and other prestigious organizations. Members of Congress, Congressional staffers, CMS, and other health care organization have begun actively seeking our input on important regulatory matters.
Finally, this past year was a time of exciting developments in our Quality Markers program. The ACOFP QM program is the nation's only physician designed, association marketed patient and population data management tool. Designed to integrate directly with your EMR, it can provide the information needed to succeed in the coming payment environment. Because of our work with our data partner Symphony Performance Health, we were able to join with the Consortium for Southeast Hypertension Control in a $13 million federal grant. Through his grant, the ACOFP is now able to provide members with free access to the ACOFP QM program and practice transformation services for the next four years. You can learn more about this on our website, acofp.org.
While I have only scratched the surface on the many activities of the ACOFP, I am confident that incoming President, Larry Anderson, will continue the work we have begun and will add his own ideas to our efforts. Working together - members, leadership, and staff - we can ensure that the ACOFP continues to grow in its ability to support you in your practice.
Sincerely,
Kevin V. de Regnier, DO, FACOFP dist. 2015 - 2016 ACOFP President
From the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.