The National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL) is where family physicians from underrepresented groups come together to lead and inspire change. This year’s conference will take place April 24–26, 2025, in Kansas City, MO, bringing together passionate physicians to develop leadership skills, advocate for key issues, and shape the future of family medicine.

Our delegates will represent you—amplifying your voices, concerns, and ideas at the national level. Through policy discussions, networking, and education, they will work to strengthen our specialty and improve the lives of both physicians and patients.

We’re proud to introduce this year’s delegates and the constituencies they represent. Join us in supporting them as they step up to lead!

Kristie Alvarez, MD

Alvarez Family Medical

Oxford, MS

Daniel Hogue, MD, FAAFP

Baptist Memorial Hospital - Desoto

Southaven, MS

Chloe Kilman, MD, FAAFP

UMMC Geriatrics

Brandon, MS

Anuj Marya, MD, FAAFP

St. Dominic's Jackson Memorial Hospital

Madison, MS

Chad Ross, MD

Baptist Memorial Hospital

Family Medicine Residency

Southaven, MS

Leading up to MAFP Capitol Day, over 65 family medicine residents took part in our Academy Advocacy Webinars to sharpen their advocacy skills and prepare for meaningful discussions with legislators. These virtual sessions, led by MAFP Advocacy Director Hope Ladner, provided valuable insights on the importance of advocacy, effective strategies for engagement, and key legislative issues impacting family medicine and patient care in Mississippi.

With a strong turnout, these webinars proved to be an excellent opportunity for residents to gain confidence and the tools needed to be effective advocates. Attendees left equipped with knowledge to make an impact at the Capitol, reinforcing the role of family physicians in shaping healthcare policy.



Thank you to all who participated and helped make this event a success. We look forward to continued engagement in advocacy efforts throughout the year!

Family physicians and pediatricians from all over the state participated in a morning of activities highlighting family medicine on Tuesday, February 6.

Primary Care Day at the Capitol began with registration in the rotunda at the MAFP booth, where over 70 attendees wore their "There's no place like The Sip" buttons while chatting with their legislators andto discuss the importance of every Mississippian having a family doctor.

MAFP visited with legislators and gave them information about the Academy. After being introduced in the Senate gallery, MAFP members then gathered for lunch to hear Representative Sam Creekmore, Chair of the House Public Health Committee speak and hear updates on state issues.

Related organizations also taking part were:

• The MAFP Foundation was there to support a Smoke-Free Mississippi along with special guest Miss Mississippi Becky Williams. Becky travels the state on behalf of MAFP Foundation teaching 4^th and 5^th graders about the dangers of tobacco use.

• Students from the MS Rural Physician Scholarship Program were there showcasing the program, funded by the Mississippi Legislature since 2007. In 16 years, the program has awarded millions in scholarships to medical students who commit to practicing primary care medicine in Mississippi’s rural communities, after their medical training. Because of the program, there are now more than 66 new primary care physicians working in Mississippi’s neediest areas, and many more in training.

• Pediatrician members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Mississippi Chapter joined in the event along with family physicians.

• The Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce joined us to talk about the work they have done to create 18 new residencies and has moved Mississippi from 50th in the nation for primary care physicians per 100k to 44th. There is still work to be done, but the needle is moving!

Policy and Politics

A group of doctors circa 1600’s sought out the Crown of England to help impose standards and qualifications for those wishing to be licensed. Medicine was the first profession to require licenses like in the modern era, with the expressed intent of regulating the profession for the well-being of the community (Davron, 2020).

Recognizing professional standards through state licensure laws has a long history in our state. On Wednesday, the Mississippi House of Representatives voted to advance House Bill 849 that will allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to continue their careers without collaboration after 8,000 practice hours. MAFP supported the inclusion of APRNs under the professional licensing laws of our state. Our physicians value their nurse practitioners immensely. We hear of the instances where collaboration is not working the way it should, and our organization supports efforts to make collaboration meaningful for all nurse practitioners. However, an arbitrary standard, like number of practice hours, being the threshold to allow an advanced practitioner to practice independently will be detrimental to physician access in Mississippi. It ultimately is a pathway for advanced practitioners to practice medicine without a license. This will have a lasting negative impact on the healthcare system. It will allow hospitals to replace physicians in the healthcare system just to save money. Over time, this will negatively impact the physician workforce and physician pipeline in Mississippi. While MAFP will be opposing the bill as passed the House, we do have one point of agreement on the bill; there needs to be a new definition of “collaboration” that focuses on the communication and consulting that should occur in a collaborative agreement.

HB 849 will now go to the Senate where it must be considered by a committee (likely Public Health & Welfare) by March 4^th to advance. Please begin reaching out to your Senator to discuss this issue as soon as possible.

The MAFP Advocacy Committee meets weekly with MAFP lobbyist, Hope Ladner (hope@clayfirm.com), for strategy. We will continue to update members on the progress of this bill, so please check your emails weekly.

The time is here for our 2025 Spring Conference and we can't wait to see you there! We'll offer 12 hours of live CME plus time to network with your peers as well as exhibitors. Plus, family medicine residents and medical students will be joining us for their Spring Fling held in connection with this event. Be on the lookout for registration to open next week.

Mark your calendars! The 2025 MAFP Fall Conference is set for a weekend of learning and fellowship at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL. Join us as we gather for top-notch CME sessions and all things family medicine in a beautiful coastal setting. Stay tuned for more details coming soon—we can’t wait to see you there!

The Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians Foundation is proud to present our 1st Annual Research Poster Contest at our Spring Fling Conference for students and residents. The contest will give attendees a venue to share innovative and effective educational programs and showcase unique community projects. This opportunity stimulates research among medical students and residents and encourages networking with those who share similar interests. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in both the Family Medicine Resident and Medical Student categories.

Dates to Remember:

March 9, 2025 – Application Deadline

March 28, 2025 – Notification to Applicants

April 12-13, 2025 – Spring Fling

April 13, 2025 – Poster Presentations and Awards

*Awards will be presented on Sunday, April 13, during the MAFP’s Spring Fling Conference at The Sheraton Refuge Hotel, Flowood, MS

Last week, your MAFP attended the Ole Miss Health Professions Fair where we met with students exploring careers in healthcare. It was a great opportunity to highlight the need for family physicians in Mississippi, share programs like the Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, and introduce future healthcare workers to Tar Wars. We're excited to see where these conversations lead.