Calling All MAFP Members: Academy Advocacy Webinar & Capitol Day 2025

Calling all medical students and residents! MAFP Capitol Day on Tuesday, February 4 is your opportunity to step into the world of healthcare advocacy and make your voice heard on issues that matter to family medicine and our patients in Mississippi.

To help you prepare, we’re hosting two virtual Academy Advocacy Webinars designed to get you ready to engage confidently:

• Wednesday, January 29 | 12:00–12:30 PM
• Friday, January 31 | 12:00–12:30 PM

During these quick, 30-minute sessions, MAFP Advocacy Director Hope Ladner will explain why advocacy matters and how your involvement can shape the future of family medicine in Mississippi. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask questions and learn how you can confidently engage with state leaders. These sessions will cover:

• The importance of advocacy at the state level.
• Practical ways to connect with legislative leaders.
• A live Q&A to address your questions and concerns.

Why You Should Participate

• Build advocacy skills that will set you apart as a future physician.
• Influence healthcare policy affecting family medicine.
• Connect with peers and experienced advocates making a difference.

These events are more than just learning opportunities—they’re your chance to create meaningful change for family medicine in Mississippi. Don’t miss out!

Medical students and family medicine residents have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of family medicine by running for a position on the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) Board of Directors or the MAFP Foundation (MAFPF) Board of Trustees during our annual Spring Fling Conference. To run, candidates must be present at the conference, where they will deliver campaign speeches and participate in an election held exclusively for student and resident members on Saturday. These leadership positions allow students and residents to represent their peers statewide, contribute to key decisions, and gain invaluable professional experience during their one-year term. Board meetings are held throughout the year, including at the Spring Fling in Jackson, MS, the Annual Meeting in Sandestin, FL, the Fall Meeting, and the December Social. We hope you will join us and take the first step in making a lasting impact on the future of family medicine!

Medical students interested in family medicine have an exciting opportunity to attend the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) Annual Meeting as part of the Academy Ambassador program. This year’s event will take place July 19-23, 2025, at the Baytowne Conference Center in Sandestin, FL.

Selected Ambassadors assist with planning and organizing the meeting while enjoying perks such as free registration, hotel accommodations, and meals for the week. Hosted lunches and dinners, sponsored by Hattiesburg Clinic, Forrest General Family Medicine Residency, MEA Medical Clinics, and North Mississippi Family Medicine Residency, offer additional networking opportunities with practicing physicians and exhibitors.

In addition to gaining valuable professional connections, students will have free time to relax and enjoy the beautiful Destin area. Applications are open now—don’t miss this chance to learn, network, and grow as a future family physician!

MAFP and the MAFP Foundation covered their registration, hotel, and meals, thanks to physician sponsors.

Mark your calendars and save the date for our Annual Scientific Assembly! We hope to see you in Destin!

If you are interested in applying for Academy Ambassador, applications are due by May 1, 2025.

For Daulton Newman, MD, coming back home to serve his community isn’t just a goal—it’s his passion. Growing up in Eupora, Mississippi, Daulton’s journey from a small-town high school graduate to a dedicated family medicine resident shows how deeply he cares about giving back to the people who shaped his life.

Daulton graduated from Eupora High School in 2012 and headed to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Studies in 2016. Even though he excelled far from home, Mississippi always called him back. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 2022 from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine.

During his training, Daulton explored several medical specialties. Neurology caught his attention because his older sister experiences unexplained seizures, and his football and athletic background drew him toward orthopedics. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized he wanted to serve Eupora and similar towns. “With my broad interest in different areas of medicine and the need to be a versatile physician for my hometown, family medicine just made sense,” he said.

Now, Daulton is a resident at the North Mississippi Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program in Tupelo, and he couldn’t be happier with his choice. “Our program focuses on top-notch training across all areas of family medicine,” he said. From neonatology and pediatrics to geriatrics and women’s health, residents get hands-on experience in so many areas. What really stands out for Daulton is the supportive, family-like vibe in the program. “They’re not just helping you grow as a doctor but as a person too,” he added.

Daulton has some unforgettable memories from his journey so far. One of his favorites was at the end of medical school when his mom helped him put on his first long white coat during the ceremony. It was a special way to honor his parents’ constant support. “Everything they’ve done since we were born has been to make life better for their kids,” he said. Another standout moment was marrying his wife, Tatum, in January. Despite an ice storm that shut down most of North Mississippi, a big group of his co-residents, faculty, and program staff made it to Puckett, Mississippi, to celebrate with him. “Seeing them there meant the world to me,” Daulton said. “It’s just another example of how much of a family our program really is.”

Looking ahead, Daulton is excited about achieving his ultimate goal: serving the people of his hometown. “Eupora played such a big part in shaping who I am today, and so many people there had a positive impact on my life,” he said. “I can’t wait to give back to the community that gave so much to me.”

If you missed the AAFP's recent webinar in collaboration with AAMC Careers in Medicine (CiM), a recording is now available. This session features family physicians sharing their personal journeys, including pivotal moments during medical school, residency selection, and job exploration. 

Medical school comes with its share of highs and lows, and learning to navigate them is crucial for success. Students, watch this replay of "10 Secrets to Success in Medical School," where experts share practical tips to help you manage challenges and thrive throughout your medical education.

The AAFP’s Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (FMAS) provides family physicians, medical students, and residents a unique opportunity to engage with Congress on primary care issues while learning about health policy and advocacy best practices. AAFP offers scholarships to two students and two residents, covering travel to Washington, DC, hotel accommodations, and registration fees. Apply by Feb. 14, 2025, to participate in this impactful event.

The AAFP is now accepting poster applications for FUTURE 2025 (formerly National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Students), July 31 – August 2, in Kansas City, MO. The annual conference offers one of the largest platforms for residents and students to showcase their research and special projects to peers, residency programs, and potential employers. Fifty posters will be accepted across the following categories: Clinical Inquiry, Community Project, Educational Program, Research. The contest is open to all AAFP resident and student members. For more information or to apply, please visit the link below.

As future physicians with a passion for rural medicine, you’ll find inspiration in the incredible work rural family physicians do every day. Amidst the primary care shortage, rural family physicians play a critical role in delivering comprehensive care, mentoring students and residents, addressing health disparities, and tackling issues like maternal morbidity and mortality, often as the only physician in their community.



The National Rural Health Day as Nov. 21, we celebrate the essential contributions of rural family medicine and reflect on how we can support and sustain this vital work. The AAFP is actively advocating for rural physicians, and there are opportunities for you to get involved. Read on to learn how your voice can help shape the future of rural health care.