History & Membership

The Arkansas Academy of Family Physicians is the state chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the second largest medical specialty organization in the nation with over 100,000 members in 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands , Guam and the Uniformed Services.

With over 1450 members in our state chapter, we are the state’s largest medical specialty organization . Our membership consists of Active Members, Resident Members, Student Members, Life Members, Inactive Members and Supporting Members.

The Arkansas Chapter was the 13th state chapter chartered by the AAFP in 1947 and was then known as the American Academy of General Practice. The AAFP was founded to promote and maintain high quality standards for family doctors who are providing comprehensive health care to the public. In 1971 the name was changed to the American Academy of Family Physicians in order to reflect more accurately the changing nature of primary health care.

The Arkansas Chapter’s purposes then and now include:

  • Providing Advocacy for and education of patients and the public in all health related matters
  • To preserve and promote quality cost effective health care
  • To promote the science and art of family medicine and to ensure an optimal supply of well trained family physicians
  • To promote and maintain high standards among physicians who practice family medicine
  • To preserve the right of family physicians to engage in medical and surgical procedures for which they are qualified by training and experience
  • To provide advocacy, representation and leadership for the specialty of family medicine
  • To maintain and provide an organization with high standards to fulfill the above purposes and represent the needs of members

Our Core Purpose

To advance the specialty of Family Medicine in order to improve the health of patients, families and communities in Arkansas

We believe that Family Medicine is essential to the well being of the health of Arkansans and that Family Medicine is well suited to improve the health of the residents of our state

We believe in a health care system that is primary care driven and in one that is fair, equitable and accessible.

We believe in the elimination of health disparities and barriers to access to healthcare in Arkansas

We believe in a comprehensive approach to patient care and value the health and well being of patients families and communities

We value the professional and personal well being of our members

Our Core Values

  • To provide quality, continuing medical education to our members
  • To provide professional excellence and integrity to and by our members
  • To maintain fiscal responsibility of our member’s dues and maintain our organization’s continued integrity
  • To continue to be a member driven organization with involvement by every member