Know the MAFP

History of the MAFP

The Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) is the state association of family physicians. It is one of the state’s largest primary care specialty organizations, with more than 1,030 members. The MAFP, headquartered in Ridgeland, MS, serves the family medicine community and provides a unified voice for family medicine. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the MAFP’s parent organization, maintains a membership of more than 115,900 members in 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.

The MAFP was founded in 1949 to advance the specialty of Family Medicine through improving the health of all people in Mississippi.

Other major purposes of the Academy include:

• Advocating for family physicians to lawmakers, organized medicine and the public;
• Providing high-quality continuing medical education to physicians in Mississippi;
• Engaging MS family physicians in MAFP initiatives;
• Educating public on the specialty of Family Medicine;
• Recruiting the next generation of family physicians for Mississippi.

The MAFP is governed by a board of directors comprised of members from throughout the state. The board establishes and reviews Academy policy and plans during the MAFP Board Meetings and the Annual Scientific Assembly meeting. MAFP member committees may make policy recommendations to the board.

The MAFP tracks and lobbies for legislation impacting family physicians and their patients. The Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians Political Action Committee (FAMDOCPAC), the political voice of family medicine in Mississippi, speaks on behalf of Mississippi family physicians and their patients through grassroots involvement, personal relationships with elected officials and political campaign participation and contributions. FAMDOCPAC is a non-partisan political action committee that supports candidates who prioritize issues important to family physicians and their patients.

The Academy wishes to equip family physicians with beneficial tools for the continual improvement of the specialty. To do this, the MAFP promotes education to help members meet the required 150 hours of approved continuing education every three years to retain membership. This requirement is met through the continuing education programs which include a Spring Conference, Annual Scientific Assembly in July, and a Fall Conference. The MAFP also offers one day seminars or workshops on timely topics.

The MAFP maintains communication with its members through an up-to-date Web site that contains information about CME activities, legislative issues and current medical news. The Academy publishes a journal, The Mississippi Family Physician, a membership directory and several smaller publications throughout the year. Members also receive electronic newsletters to keep them up to date as well as social media outlets.