Past Messages from the UAFP President

(March 2010)

Someone sent me a birthday card with a joke about the passage of time: “When you get over the hill, you go faster.” It seems to be really true. Have you thought about the fact that the first decade of the 21st century is already behind us? Every day is a blur of activity and the weeks and years keep rolling by.

As I write this, the Legislative session is once again winding to a close. Soon we will know what our legislators have accomplished. Will they produce practical legislation that will improve the health of our population? Will they enact reasonable malpractice reform? Will they have diminished the financial burdens on family doctors that steer graduating medical students into higher paying specialties? Will fewer of our citizens be uninsured, or will more Utahns face the downhill spiral of unmet medical needs and financial disaster? If the Legislature does not accomplish these things, whom should we hold accountable? Perhaps we should look in the mirror and ask why we were not more active in promoting the health of our patients and letting our elected officials know what we believe.

This summer I will be ending my time as President of UAFP. Due to a series of unusual events, I have been President much longer than the usual two year term. I am proud of a number of things that have been accomplished.

transitioning from a single employee as our executive director to using the services of a professional association management firm
a reorganized and rejuvenated Board of Directors
a solid financial footing for the organization
beginning to play a more active role in representing family medicine at the Legislature and with the public
an organized election cycle for the Board that will rotate new Directors into responsibility

These are not my accomplishments; they are the accomplishments of the Board of Directors working as a team with our management firm.

In my opinion, the next step for UAFP is to broaden and deepen the engagement of family doctors around the state in chapter activities. This is a doctors’ organization, and only doctors can make it flourish.

In my upcoming role as Past President, I intend to focus on reaching out to members and inviting them to step into UAFP roles. You may just get a phone call from me! However, there are nearly 600 of you, and only one of me, so it will be more efficient if you step forward and volunteer rather than wait for my call. Here are some small, medium, and large-sized roles you can play:

Small role: Serve on nominating committee for 1-2 months to recruit doctors in your area for UAFP activities or Board roles. Work with legislative committee during the session to let legislators know our positions on the issues.
Medium role: Serve on a committee for the Board. This involves 1-2 hours per month to meet by telephone and give direction to our staff. Serve on the Board of Directors. This requires attending a quarterly meeting in person or by phone, as well as some email activity.
Large role: Serve as a committee chair for the Board. Run for office and be elected to one of the officer roles. (If I can be President, you can be President. You have just as much brains and spare time as I do.) Represent Utah in a national AAFP role.

At this time we are preparing a slate of candidates for election to the Board of Directors and to the officer roles. If you have an interest, step forward and don’t hesitate. We will put you on the ballot, or we will get you involved in a role that engages your skills and interests.

This is our professional organization, and it is up to us to create its future.

Thank you for all you do in the service of UAFP and the citizens of Utah.

(October 2009)

At this time I am in Boston attending the American Academy of Family Physicians Congress of Delegates. The Utah delegation includes delegates David Flinders MD of Provo, Rick Gregoire MD of Ogden, alternate delegates Karen Radley MD of Price and Frank Brown MD of Ogden, and myself as UAFP president.

It is thrilling to be here in Boston for several reasons. As an American, I love being so close to the many historical sites commemorating the birth of our nation. We began the Congress with a fife and drum presentation of the Stars and Stripes, followed by a woman with the voice of an angel singing the Star Spangled Banner. What a wonderful reminder of our precious heritage!

It is also thrilling to hear the leaders of family medicine report on the many activities that have occurred over the past year relating to health care reform. This has been a great year for family medicine. There is a new recognition of the importance of primary care by our elected leadership in Congress and in the White House. As you know, the health care debate continues in Washington. No one knows the form the final legislation will take. What we do know is that family medicine is at the table.

Out-going AAFP Board Chairman Jim King energized me with his passionate words about his ongoing commitment as he leaves office.

“It reminds of the time right before the kick-off for a football game. Practice is over and game plan determined. I’m standing out in the middle of the field waiting on the coin toss. Are you on the field as well, instead of just sitting in the stands? I’m looking around to see who is on my team and who is standing on the other sideline.
To the other players I would like to say:

“For the nurse practitioners, masters or doctorate, I see you as a professional that brings a lot to the team. We can work together to make sure our patients get the best care possible. But, if you think you can take my place, all I have to say is: BRING IT ON!
For the sub-specialist, you provide a valued service to my patients and I look forward to working with you. But if you think you can function without me, all I have to say is: BRING IT ON!

“For the hospitals, I see it as a failure on my part every time one of my patients ends up spending one night inside of you. I realize you need me more than I need you. Your emergency departments are full of patients who should be in my office. Part of the reason is my fault but I’m fixing that with same day appointments and expanded hours. We can work together to keep my patients safe and provide the highest quality of care possible, or we can continue to work against each other, your choice. But if you are not willing to change, BRING IT ON!

“For the insurance companies, we can be on the same team believe it or not. But you definitely have some changing to do. You have to be transparent with your numbers about yourself, other physicians and myself. We have to work to make sure patients are getting the right service at the right time and not delay and deny appropriate care to save money.

“For the buyers of health care, we are on the same team because both of us want quality care for your employees. You have to demand that from the insurance companies you use. Working together we can change the private health care system.
“For the government, I’m tried of going to Washington and begging you to do the right thing for my patients. You know the problems and we have told you the answers. I may be able to only vote for or against four of you, but if all family doctors decided that enough is enough, just maybe you can get the message. Now is the time to pass meaningful health care reform. I don’t care if you are Republican, Democrat or Independent, Conservative, Liberal or Moderate. It is time you decide and pass something which covers more people, pays primary care appropriately, and does away with the barriers which prevent doctors from taking care of our patients.

“For my patients, I promise that you and your family’s health come first. We will work together to make sure you understand what needs to be done. I will help you navigate this complicated health care system making sure you and your family gets the right care at the right time and in the right place.

“I may be going back to Selmer to spend more time in the office and less on the road. But I have not retreated from this battle; in fact, they have not seen anything yet. So, to those on the field today I’m ready, willing and prepared for the game, so why don’t you JUST BRING IT ON!”

Back home in Utah, we have work to do. It is time for all UAFP members to get involved, get engaged, and get going with our state efforts to improve health care for our citizens. Please take the steps that seem right to you: contact your state or national representatives, write a letter to the editor, join the AAFP MedPac, donate some of your time to UAFP activities. I look forward to continuing to work with you in this critical endeavor.

For details about the Congress of Delegates, please visit the AAFP website at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/aboutus/theaafp/congress.html

Jennifer Leiser - President of Utah Academy of Family Physicians

(July 2009)

Recently I have been thinking about leadership. As family physicians we are naturally fulfilling many leadership roles, both formal and informal. Usually we are respected members of our communities. We may hold positions in volunteer or religious organizations. Our neighbors know about the years we have spent in formal education, so they consider our opinions important and informed. At work, we lead teams of employees such as nurses or medical assistants, helping the group to function well for the sake of our patients. We may have formal roles in the organizations in which we work, such as medical director or medical staff officer at the local hospital.

I have been thinking about how to expand the leadership capacity of the Utah Academy of Family Physicians. Our Board members are serving us well, dedicating time and effort to the work of the UAFP. Still, we need to increase participation in UAFP activities if we are going to thrive in the future.

Wayne Jones, our Executive Director, gave me a pamphlet from another organization on leadership development. It was written by Bob Harris CAE. He asks the question, “How do we get more leaders?” and gives several ideas. I find there are several we can use to strengthen our organization.

Pose the question: Ask. This has been amazing to me. When I call a physician on the phone and ask if they would be interested in serving on the board, I am almost always told YES. In spite of how busy everyone is, family doctors are willing to help the UAFP.
Leadership academy. Through AAFP we have leadership development resources that can build skills for our members. Many of these are subsidized by AAFP, so we just need to take advantage of what is already there.
Board member guests. Inviting members to participate in board meetings lets them see how the board operates and generates interest in the process. Our UAFP Board meetings are open to any member to participate by phone or in person.
Shorten the Leadership Ladder. Mr. Harris recommends a process that does not take years of participation before the person can step into a leadership role. At UAFP we have a pretty short leadership ladder already.

I plan to engage the Board in discussion of this topic so we can increase the flow of new talent to our organization.

I wish that time allowed me to call each of you on the phone to find out your interest in participating in UAFP. You just might have a message from me one day. In the meantime, consider this your standing invitation to participate in the way that seems best to you.

Thank you for all you do for family medicine and our patients.