About the Foundation

The Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, supports educational and scientific initiatives of family medicine to improve the health of all Louisianans. Through the generous contributions of members, corporations and friends, the Foundation is able to raise and distribute funds for medical student scholarships to future family physicians, for research, for family medicine student interest group activities at medical schools in Louisiana and for family medicine resident activities.

Today, the LAFP Foundation provides programs and services supporting two key areas of concern relating to family medicine. Providing primary health care for Louisiana citizens is a main focus of the Foundation's programs and services. The Foundation is committed to efforts that promote and support the specialty of family medicine and helps in recruiting family physicians to serve the people of our state. Working with the medical students at LSUHSC New Orleans, LSUHSC Shreveport and Tulane University, the Foundation fosters interest in family medicine. Activities with the Family Medicine Interest Groups at each of the three medical schools are supported by the Foundation, as well as providing Student Scholarships to those interested in the specialty of family medicine. Other services provided to students are Research Activities, Student Leadership Workshops and Family Medicine Externships. Medical students are encouraged to become involved both locally and nationally with the Academy. Leadership positions are available LAFP Board as well as Academy committees.

Promoting preventative health care among the people of Louisiana is a second area of focus for the Foundation. Outreach programs that promote healthy lifestyle choices are provided by the Foundation. Tar Wars, a pro-health, tobacco-free education program and poster contest, is coordinated with 4th and 5th graders in elementary schools across Louisiana. The Foundation works with other tobacco-free non-profits to implement the goals and strategies of The Cancer Control Plan to provide coordination for cancer control and care efforts. These programs are collaborative efforts among Academy members, health care providers, and organizations such as school systems, hospitals, and other professional organizations.