The Countdown to Annual Assemby Is On!

Early Bird Registration for MAFP's 76th Annual Scientific Assembly ends July 1st. Take advantage of the lower registration fee before prices go up! We expect approximately 140 family physicians to attend and we hope you are one of them!

As you know, our theme is based on an interest of our current President and Dr. Vanderloo is a fan of LEGOs. The theme for this year’s meeting is "Stronger Together: The Building Blocks of Family Medicine."

This year's Knowledge Self-Assessment on Diabetes will be Sunday, July 20th. Don't forget to mark this on your registration form if you plan to attend.

Registration link is below. For any questions about registration, contact Blake Butler at publicawareness@msafp.org.

CME Topics Include:

• New Drug Update Part One — C. Wayne Weart, PharmD, BCPS, GASHP, FAPha
• New Drug Update Part Two — C. Wayne Weart, PharmD, BCPS, GASHP, FAPha
• Hyperlipidemia — Bruce A. Warden, PharmaD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA, FASPC
• ADHD in Adults: Screening & Diagnosing — John Norton, MD
• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus — James R. Gavin III, MD, PhD
• Navigating Gastrointestinal Challenges: Insight into GERD and H. pylori Managment — Jonathan Firnhaber, MD, MAEd, MBA
• Bridging Community: Collaborative Efforts in Early Detection and Intervention for Alzheimer's Disease
• Rethinking Uncomplicated UTIs: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis, Management, and Novel and Emerging Treatment Options
• Lifestyle Medicine Overview: The What and The Why
• RSV Primary Care at the Center of RSV Prevention: Community-Focused Strategies to Foster Trust and Vaccine Acceptance
• Obesity in Primary Care — Donna H. Ryan, MD, FTOS
• The Wake-Up Workshop Initiative: Your Practical, Comprehensive Guide to Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• HIV Update
• KSA on Diabetes

Social Events Include:

• Yoga
• MAFP's Family Fun Night Block Party
• Sunrise Devotionals
• Golf Tournament
• Family Crab Hunt
• Loot and Scoot in Exhibit Hall
• Spouse and Kids Bingo
• Raffle Items
• Split the Pot Fundraiser
• 80 Exhibitors

Speaker Spotlight:

Dr. Brianna Wynne

Brianna Wynne, MD, FAAFP is a board-certified geriatrician with a family medicine background. She is faculty at AdventHealth Winter Park geriatric fellowship, which is where she completed her geriatric training and currently teaches medical students, residents and fellows. She has been involved in The Florida Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine’s Education Committee since 2022 and is a participant in the national Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine inaugural Leadership Program for 2025-2026. She is also actively engaged in the American Geriatric Society and American Academy of Family Physicians. 

During Annual Assembly, Dr. Wynne will present a CME Session on Collaborative Efforts in Early Detection and Intervention for Alzheimer’s Disease. After completing this session, participants should be better able to:

• Integrate strategies into care plans that optimize brain health for patients at risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
• Describe the latest evidence supporting the early detection of mild cognitive impairment in the AD continuum
• Develop patient-centered communication strategies to address brain health and cognitive concerns with patients and caregivers

Dr. Ardarian Pierre

Born and raised in Verona, Mississippi, Dr. Pierre is honored to be the mother of four amazing children. As a physician she states, " I value the opportunity to serve my community and state with every fiber of my being. I own a passion for service and leadership to educate and advocate for our patients".

Dr. Ardarian received her undergraduate degree from Mississippi University for Women and attended medical school at the American University of Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda. She has been in practice for eleven years, and currently practices at University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Notable Awards received include:

MSMA Doctor of Distinction, MSMA Delegate, Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, 2024 AHA Woman of Impact Nominee, Women for Progress Community Champion Award, AAFP Physician of the Year, Physician Author Signing Honoree by Barnes & Noble, Mark Pogue Humanitarian Resident Award, Physician spotlight Award by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Aside from being a wife and mom of four amazing children, Dr Pierre has been a radio interviewee for MS SuperTalk to discuss geriatric care and heart health, Southern Remedy Interviewee, Heart Health Education Panelist for AHA, Host of a podcast with her husband (Dr. David Pierre) entitled Healthy Time with PierreDocs, Educator on the new Brain Health Podcast entitled Change your Mind, Mississippi, serves throughout the Year as Doctor of the Day, Adopter of Jackson Public Schools, Healthcare Helper for Jackson and Madison schools, Classroom Mom, Girl Scout Troop Leader and author of new children’s book entitled Doctor Moms. She also serves on the Fondren Renaissance Foundation and the Wear It Well board.

Dr. Steven Gammel of Winona and Dr. John Mitchell of Pontotoc stopped by the MAFP Booth during the MSMA CME in the Sand Conference last week. MAFP Executive Director Beth Embry manned the booth and was glad to see our members and supporters of our specialty at the meeting. Congratulations  to Dr. Michael Ard of Louisville for winning the Family Medicine Strong print. 

Following that meeting the MS Osteopathic Medical Association hosted their annual coast conference and we enjoyed meeting many William Carey medical students including Nnedimma Obianagha and Venkata Vanganur. Dr. Lee Valentine of Meridian was the winner of the print at the MOMA meeting – thanks for stopping by to visit!

Is there a family medicine issue that concerns you? Do you have a colleague who needs recognition? Consider writing a resolution!

All Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians members are invited to write and submit resolutions for consideration at the MAFP Business Meeting held on the Tuesday during the MAFP Annual Scientific Assembly. Submissions are due June 15 each year.

Writing and presenting resolutions is a great opportunity to direct MAFP policy and address issues of interest or concern to family physicians and family medicine. Resolutions can also honor outstanding individual achievement or memorialize deceased family physician leaders.

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.

THANK YOU DR. GUESS!

Dr. Stanley Hartness and Public Awareness Director Blake Butler had the opportunity to visit the painting studio of Dr. Guess. We are so grateful for Dr. Guess always contributing a piece of artwork to our Annual AssemblySilent Auction. Be on the look out for more than one piece this year!.

Pictured at the easel: Dr. Charles Guess, Madison and Dr. Stanley Hartness, Jackson.