As efforts continue to reform our system of medical care deliver, we face a severe shortage of family physicians. In fact, less than 13 percent of American Physicians are family physicians. Several areas of Louisiana are without adequate physician coverage. Thus, access to care and cost of care are of great concern for a large number of our citizens. As we see it, the solution is the increased training and equitable distribution of family physicians in all areas of Louisiana so as to provide for adequate medical care statewide. 

 

Foundation Initiatives

The LAFP Foundation was created to handle the philanthropic activities of the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians, and is governed by the Foundation Board of Directors as specified in the Foundation Bylaws. These activities include:

• Patient/Public Education Programs 
  • Tar Wars Program 
  • State Poster Contest
• Programs to Educate and Attract Medical Students to Family Medicine. 
  • Medical Student Scholarship Awards 
  • AAFP National Students Conference 
  • Family Medicine Interest Groups 
  • Payment of Student Membership Dues 
  • Student Preceptorships 
• Family Medicine Resident Enrichment Programs. 
  • AAFP National Residents Conference 
  • Resident Scholarships and Awards 
  • Resident Repayment Program 
• Support of LAFP Educational Activities

Our Goals

• To encourage premedical and medical students to pursue the specialty of family medicine. This will address the critical shortage of family physicians in Louisiana. 
• To provide Louisiana family practice residents with educational opportunities that might not otherwise be available. 
• To maintain the educational excellence of family physicians throughout their careers. 
• To support research in family medicine. This will result in improved patient care.
• To enhance communication between family physicians in the community. 
• To support innovation and improvement in family medicine. 

Our History

• To encourage premedical and medical students to pursue the specialty of family medicine. This will address the critical shortage of family physicians in Louisiana. 
• To provide Louisiana family practice residents with educational opportunities that might not otherwise be available. 

Our Parent Organization

The Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians is one of the largest professional medical specialty societies in Louisiana. Its 1300+ members are practicing family physicians, family physicians in training and medical students. The organization strives to preserve and promote quality cost-effective health care. It promotes the science and art of family medicine and works toward supplying Louisianians with an adequate supply of well-trained family physicians. The Academy provides advocacy, representation and leadership for the specialty of family practice.