2026 Scientific Assembly
Practical CME. Meaningful connections. A celebration of Arkansas family medicine.
Join family physicians from across the state for three days of timely education, professional connection and memorable events—all planned by family physicians for family physicians.
August 27–29, 2026 | Wyndham Riverfront Hotel | North Little Rock
Book Your Hotel Room by August 4th!
Reserve your room at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel for the special Assembly rate of $119 per night for single or double occupancy.
Prefer to call? Dial 1-866-657-4458 or 501-371-9000 and request the Arkansas Academy of Family Physicians room block.
FREE Student Session (Saturday)
Available for free to all students enrolled at an Arkansas medical school. AAFP Membership is required.
CME Highlights
CME You Can Use
Earn CME while exploring practical topics designed to strengthen patient care and support your day-to-day practice. See the full agenda for session times and details.
Saturday Opioid Credit
Saturday’s program includes opioid-related education to help physicians meet applicable credit requirements.
POCUS Workshop (Saturday, Aug 29 – 1:00-3:00pm)
Build hands-on skills during Saturday’s workshop featuring:
- FAST examinations
- Chest trauma assessment
- Obstetric assessment
Complimentary BLS/ACLS Checkoff
Complete your BLS or ACLS skills checkoff during the Assembly and receive your certification card at no additional cost.
You must complete the required online course before arriving and bring your course-completion certificate to the checkoff. Add BLS or ACLS certification when registering so instructions can be sent to you.
ABFM Update and On-Site Support
Hear the latest on ABFM certification during “The Now and Future of ABFM Certification.” ABFM representatives will also have an exhibitor booth where you can stop by, ask questions and receive individualized guidance.
More to Experience
Family Medicine Celebration
Friday, August 28 | 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Join us for a special evening honoring the people and leadership shaping family medicine in Arkansas. The celebration includes Academy Awards, Convocation of New Fellows, Installation of Officers and Directors, Dinner and fellowship
Casino Night Fundraiser
Following the recognition program, stay for Casino Night benefiting the ARAFP Foundation. Enjoy friendly competition, connect with colleagues and help support the future of family medicine in Arkansas.
River Run
Start Saturday with some fresh air, movement and fun with your family medicine community. Participants may run, walk or ride a bike—this is a relaxed event for all activity levels and a great way to support the ARAFP Foundation.
Assembly Agenda
2026 SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY
Thursday, August 27
7:00 – 8:00am
Conference Registration & Check-in.
Breakfast sponsored by AFMC
8:00 – 8:15am
Opening Ceremony & Welcome
8:15 – 8:30am
Annual Business Meeting and Board of Director Elections
8:30 – 9:00am
Keynote – Happy People. Stronger Teams. Better Outcomes
Kim Hodous
9:00 – 10:00am
Practical Strategies to Navigate Obesity Management in Primary Care
Nicholas Pennings, DO
10:00 – 10:30am
COFFEE BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS
10:30 – 11:15am
Getting connected: Addressing Screen Time
Chad Rodgers, MD
11:15am – Noon
From Medical Scribes to AI: Transforming Documentation While Managing Risk
Sheri Smith, FACMPE, SHRM-CP
Noon – 1:30pm
LUNCH AND EXHIBITOR TIME
Lunch sponsored by SVMIC
1:30 – 2:15pm
An ABFM Update: The Now and Future of ABFM Certification
Gary LeRoy, MD, FAAFP, DABFM
2:15 – 3:00pm
Well Doc, How Long Have I Got? Evidence-Based Prognosis in 2026
Nick Gowen, MD
3:00 – 3:30pm
SNACK BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS
3:30 – 4:15pm
Hospital Medicine Quick Hits 2026
Franklin John Gray, MD
4:15 – 5pm
Inflammatory Markers: Diagnostic Heroes or Just Muddying the Water
Emily Pruitt, MD
5pm
Adjourn – Enjoy the Argenta Arts District!
Friday, August 28
7:00 – 8:00am
Conference Registration & Check-in.
Breakfast sponsored by AFMC
8:00 – 8:45am
KEYNOTE: AI & FM: Practical Insights for a Changing Landscape
Sarah Nosal, MD, AAFP President
8:45 – 9:45am
Targeting Aldosterone in Heart Failure and CKD
Eugene Wright, MD
9:45 – 10:15am
COFFEE BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS
10:15 – 11:15am
The Wake-Up Workshop Initiative: Your Practical, Comprehensive Guide to Obstructive Sleep Apnea
11:15 – Noon
Mistaken Identity: When “Sciatica” is Actually Sacroiliitis
Saman Farr, MD
Noon – 1:15pm
Lunch & Exhibitor Time
Lunch sponsored by AR Surgical Hospital
1:15 – 2:00pm
Pertinent Pharm Pearls for 2026
Dosha Cummins, PharmD
2:00 – 3:00pm
Alpha-Gal Syndrome – From Tick Bites to Anaphylaxis
Natasha Bray, DO
3:00 – 3:15pm
BREAK
3:15 – 4:15pm
30 Tips in 60 Minutes
Scott Dinehart, MD, Wade Brock, MD & Keith Mooney, MD
4:15 – 5:00pm
Imiquimod: Trust the Experience, Toss the Insert
Scott Dinehart, MD
5:00pm
Adjourn – Get ready for the Family Medicine Back to the 80’s Celebration
6:00pm
Glow-up Reception
6:30pm
Back to the 80’s Family Medicine Celebration Awards Dinner & Casino Night
Installation Dinner Sponsored by Baptist Health & AR Blue Cross Blue Shield
Saturday, August 29
River Run! Start your morning with fresh air, fellowship, and a run (or walk) across the river at our first River Run. Participants will head across the river, make their way toward the Clinton Library, and return along the River Trail.
8:30 – 9:30am
When Blood Pressure Won’t Budge: Unmasking Hypercortisolism in Resistant Hypertension
Eugene Wright, MD
9:30 – 10:30am
Advancing the Early Detection of Lung Cancer: A Multipronged Educational Initiative to Elevate Evidence-Based Screening Practices
Israel “Rudi” Rubenstein, MD
10:30 – 10:40am
BREAK
10:40 – 11:40am
Integrating Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment into your practice: Tips & Best Practices
Jason Lofton, MD
11:40 – 12:15pm
LUNCH BREAK
12:15 – 1:00pm
Beyond the Office EKG: Remote Patient Monitoring and Wearable Cardiac Technology
Mickey Deel, DO
1:00 – 3:00pm
POCUS Workshop: FAST, Chest Trauma, and Obstetric Assessment
Mickey Deel, DO
2026 Assembly Registration
If you have any questions, or prefer to register by phone, call (501) 316-4011