Professional Development

Don't forget to let us know you're coming! Let's fill Sandestin with Mississippi Family Physicians! Don't miss this year's Annual Scientific Assembly July 18-22 at the Baytowne Conference Center. Check out all of the information below and let us know if you have any questions!

Speaker Spotlight: Dr. Rajab Idriss

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Rajab Idriss to the Annual Scientific Assembly in Sandestin for a session on "What Every Family Physician Should Know About Hepatic Encephalopathy".

Dr. Rajab Idriss is the Director of Hepatology and Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of South Alabama. He completed fellowship training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, followed by advanced fellowship training in Transplant Hepatolog, and specialized in the management of chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis, liver transplantation, liver cancer, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). He is actively involved in clinical research, medical education, and multidisciplinary liver care. Dr. Idriss is pleased to present today’s lecture on Hepatic encephalopathy.

Donate to the MAFP Foundation Raffle

at Annual Scientific Assembly!

SILENT AUCTION & RAFFLE DONATIONS: We've been busy collecting some great items to give away during Annual Assembly. If you have door prizes, bingo prizes, or a raffle item to be given away during the meeting, please contact Beth Wilson at foundation@msafp.org. The raffle item drawings will take place in the exhibit hall, and we ask that your donation value be a $75 minimum.

Below are a few more donations we have received.

Buy Your Split the Pot Tickets

Another great way you can support the MAFP Foundation when you register is to buy 1 or more Split the Pot Tickets! Each ticket is $100 and each ticket you purchase gives you a chance to win half the total amount raised.

Can't make it to Sandestin? No problem. You don't have to be present to win and you can buy tickets online at the link below!

Help Us Sell Tickets!

A big shout out and thank you to Foundation Board Member, Dr. Jessica Joy Jenkins who has graciously sold 10 Split the Pot Tickets to support the MAFP Foundation. Thank you so much for your support!

If you want to help sell tickets, please reach out to Beth Wilson at foundation@msafp.org.

Academy

Remembering Dr. Rubenstein

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Louis A. Rubenstein, a dedicated family physician and respected leader. His commitment to family medicine and service to his community will be remembered with deep gratitude.



Dr. Rubenstein served as MAFP President from 1982-1983 and was honored as the 2010 MAFP Family Physician of the Year. Throughout his distinguished career, he also served as Chief of Staff and Chief of Medicine at Ocean Springs Hospital, President of the Jackson County Medical Association, and held numerous leadership roles that helped shape healthcare across Mississippi.

Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Rubenstein’s commitment to patient care, physician leadership, and the specialty of family medicine leaves a lasting legacy.

A memorial in his honor has been given by the MAFP Foundation.

Workforce

Mentoring Matters

The future of healthcare in Mississippi depends on the physicians who inspire the next generation to choose family medicine. Every interaction between a practicing family physician and a student has the potential to shape a career, strengthen our workforce, and improve access to care in communities across our state.

As trusted mentors, MAFP members play a vital role in sharing the rewards, challenges, and impact of family medicine. By welcoming students into their practices family physicians help cultivate future leaders who will carry forward our specialty’s commitment to comprehensive, patient-centered care.

MAFP Members Drs. Jessica Joy Jenkins and Chrystal Sumrall, have recently had pre-med and medical students shadowing them in their clinics. Dr. Jenkins, a MAFP Foundation Board Member, works at MEA Medical Clinics, and Dr. Sumrall, MAFP Board Secretary, works at Laurel Family Medicine and Immediate Care.

Tougaloo College Biology Pre-Med student, Chloe Grizzell sits with Dr. Jenkins.

Pictured here are Tougaloo College mentees of Dr. Jenkins, Kennedie Palmer and Laila Young.

Jaymar Jackson, a William Career University College of Osteopathic Medicine student, works with Dr. Sumrall.

Public Awareness

Dewitt G. Crawford Scholarship Winner

The Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians Foundation is proud to announce Syed Mohammed Amanuddin, DO, as the recipient of the 2026 Dewitt G. Crawford, MD, Scholarship. This annual scholarship, made possible through a generous endowment by Mrs. Dewitt G. Crawford, in memory of her husband, supports one deserving resident each year to attend the MAFP Annual Meeting. It honors individuals who exemplify strong leadership through life experience and demonstrate a commitment to future leadership within MAFP.

Dr. Aman is urrently a PGY-1 resident at Forrest General Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, this scholarship recipient has demonstrated a strong commitment to family medicine, leadership, and service throughout medical school and residency. An active member of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) since their first year of medical school, they served as a Student Board Member for both the Academy and Foundation Boards, participated as an ambassador at three Annual Scientific Assemblies, and represented Mississippi at the American Academy of Family Physicians Congress of Delegates.

In addition to holding leadership roles within student osteopathic organizations, they dedicated countless hours to community service through rural healthcare initiatives, international medical missions, Special Olympics MedFest, Camp Kandu, and other outreach programs. These experiences have strengthened their passion for advocacy and providing compassionate, patient-centered care to underserved populations.

"MAFP has significantly influenced my growth from a first-year medical student to now a family medicine resident physician. I am grateful for the mentorship, encouragement, and opportunities the organization has provided me over the years. I hope to continue giving back to the organization and contribute to the next generation of family physicians in Mississippi."

We congratulate Dr. Aman and look forward to his continued leadership and service within the MAFP.

Family Medicine Champion

MAFP Public Awareness Director, Blake Butler, recently completed AAFP’s Family Medicine Champions Program.

The Family Medicine Champions Program is designed to equip physicians, students, and faculty with the skills and resources to advocate for family medicine and inspire future health professionals. Through expert-led modules, participants learn to dispel myths, address misconceptions, and promote the diverse career opportunities within family medicine. The program prepares Champions to mentor students, support workforce development, and serve as effective ambassadors for the specialty.