The Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) is gearing up for an incredible 2025, and we can’t wait to share all the exciting opportunities we have in store for our members. From educational sessions to networking events, this year promises to be one to remember!

Room blocks are now open for both our Spring Conference and Annual Meeting (check out the room types available here). These events are always highlights of the year, offering members the chance to connect, learn, and grow in a collaborative environment. Be sure to reserve your accommodations early to take advantage of discounted MAFP rates. Lock in your room today and ensure you’re all set for these can’t-miss gatherings.

Stay tuned for more details about the themes, speakers, and activities planned for each conference. We’re looking forward to seeing you there and making 2025 a year to remember for family medicine in Mississippi!

To encourage our members to participate in the MAFP Capitol Day scheduled for Tuesday, February 4, the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians invites members to participate in one of two of our virtual Academy Advocacy Webinars on Wednesday, January 29th or Friday, January 31st, 12-12:30pm. Our MAFP Advocacy Director, Hope Ladner, will share the importance of advocacy at the state level and will have time for Q&A at the end.

Why You Should Participate

These events are essential opportunities for members to strengthen advocacy skills, engage with legislative leaders, and make a collective impact on healthcare issues affecting family medicine and our patients in Mississippi.

Early registration is highly encouraged as space is limited.

Event Details

Academy Advocacy Webinars:

To better accommodate potential attendees, we are offering two dates for this webinar. Please register for the one that works best for you.

The session will cover the following topics:

• Understand the importance of advocacy.
• Tips on how to be an effective advocate.
• Gain insights on legislative issues effecting your patients and your specialty.
• What to expect at the MAFP Primary Care Day on February 4th.

Wednesday, January 29th

12-12:30pm

Friday, January 31st

12-12:30pm

MAFP and the American Academy of Pediatrics Mississippi Chapter (Peds) will host Primary Care Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 8am - 2pm. We are excited to combine our efforts with the Peds to bring awareness to family physicians and the work you do.

Mark your calendar for the morning of February 4 and plan to wear your white coat to the State Capitol. The morning will be followed by a MAFP members-only luncheon with a guest speaker at Galloway United Methodist Church, which is walking distance from the Capitol.

You can register online for Primary Care Day at the Capitol now. There is no cost, but you must RSVP in advance to let us know you'll attend.

In 2024, our "Why I Belong to MAFP" series was such a success, showcasing the stories of our members and why they choose to belong to our Academy. For 2025, we’re taking it a step further!

This year, we want to spotlight what sets our members apart and celebrate the unique qualities of family medicine. From specialized training to community involvement, MAFP members consistently exceed expectations—and we want to share those stories.

What makes our members stand out? Is it their exceptional care, their involvement in the community, or unique areas of specialty? Maybe it’s a fun fact or an inspiring story that highlights the essence of family medicine. Whatever it is, we want to hear from YOU!

Help us showcase the best of MAFP by completing the survey linked below. Whether it’s about yourself or a fellow member, your input will help us shine a spotlight on the remarkable people who make up our organization.

On December 13-14, members of the MAFP Board of Directors and past presidents gathered at the Old Capitol Inn in downtown Jackson for a meaningful two-day event. The agenda included dinner, a board meeting, and a strategic planning session to set the course for 2025-2027.

During the meeting, proposed updates to MAFP’s strategic plan were reviewed, and important goals were set for the next three-year cycle. The session also focused on thought-provoking questions such as:

• Why do I belong to MAFP?
• What is one thing MAFP does well?
• What is one thing/area that MAFP can improve on?

These questions sparked insightful discussions, providing valuable feedback that will guide MAFP's direction. Your MAFP staff deeply values this input to ensure that our work reflects the vision and priorities of our board and members.

While the updated strategic plan won’t be finalized and voted on until the April board meeting, we’re excited to share the strategic direction and some of the thoughtful responses from the session below. Stay tuned as we continue working together to advance family medicine and strengthen our Academy for years to come!



Thank you to all who participated and for your dedication to shaping the future of MAFP.

Looking for a simple yet impactful way to connect with your community? Hosting Miss Mississippi at your local elementary school for a Tar Wars presentation could be just the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Dr. Patrick Whipple recently took this step and discovered how easy and rewarding it can be.

“My wheels first started turning when I read an invitation in an MAFP newsletter a few months back,” shared Dr. Whipple. “It encouraged any physicians interested in scheduling Miss Mississippi to come to their local elementary school(s) to reach out. I thought about it for a few days and remembered feeling inspired by Dr. Tim Alford’s speech at a summer conference award meeting. He spoke about our responsibility to our communities. That really stuck with me.”

Dr. Whipple admits he was initially hesitant to take on one more commitment. “Probably like everyone else, I usually feel too restricted or overwhelmed by time limitations and other commitments to put one more thing on my plate,” he said. “But the more I thought about it, the simpler it seemed. It would just be a single 30-minute presentation, and I knew it could have a huge impact on the kids.”

After deciding to give it a try, Dr. Whipple found the process surprisingly easy. “Karen Jones, Miss Mississippi’s business director, was very easy to communicate with and accommodating to my schedule,” he explained. He scheduled visits to four local elementary schools over three Friday mornings. “Becky Williams (Miss Mississippi) met me at the schools 15 minutes before the presentations, fully prepared,” said Dr. Whipple. “She brought props and could handle the Tar Wars presentation on her own. I introduced her briefly, then stepped back to let her take the spotlight.”

Dr. Whipple was amazed by the response. “The kids were absolutely star-struck by Becky,” he shared. “She was wonderful, and the principals and staff were so appreciative that their local doctor would take the time and effort to arrange this.”

The experience also opened doors for further community involvement. “One school invited me to participate in a health fair for parents,” Dr. Whipple said. “They later asked my wife and me to help with Christmas gifts for children in need, which was a blessing for us as much as it was for them.”

“This was a big win for everyone,” Dr. Whipple said. “The kids, school staff, Miss Mississippi, myself, and my clinic all benefited. And it really was a very small time commitment. I highly recommend that all of our physicians consider reaching out to their local elementary school and doing the same. I’ll definitely be doing this again next year!”



Interested in hosting Miss Mississippi at your local school? Reach out to Beth Wilson at foundation@msafp.org for help coordinating. Then, reach out to local school principals to gauge interest and coordinate schedules. “It’s a simple way to make a lasting impression on the children while showing your commitment to the health and well-being of the families you serve,” Dr. Whipple said. “Give it a try—you won’t regret it.”

Congratulations to Dr. James Polk for being named Rankin County's Best Family Physician 2024-2025 at the Rankin's Best of the Best event last Thursday. Each year, Hometown Rankin Magazine puts on this event to recognize the best businesses and business professionals in Rankin County, Mississippi. Nominations are opened to select the top 5, which is then narrowed down to the winner through voting that can be done daily by the public. We are so proud of you, Dr. Polk, on this award recognition!

Wednesday-Saturday, April 23-26, 2025 Kansas City, MO

What is the NCCL?

The NCCL is the AAFP's leadership development event that empowers a select group of change makers to catalyze positive change in family medicine. NCCL will inspire you to build on your leadership skills and create a lasting impact for current and future generations of family physicians.

NCCL constituencies include:

NCCL constituencies include: women, minorities, new physicians (in the first seven years of practice following residency), international medical graduates (IMG) from schools outside the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and LGBTQ+. The conference offers and opportunity for members to voice their individual and group perspectives.

Are you ready...

to develop skills to advocate for issues that are relevant to your constituency, your practice, your specialty, and your patients?

The MAFP is seeking physicians to represent our chapter and serve as delegates to the AAFP National Conference of Constituency Leaders. You must be a practicing physician or graduating resident to attend.

This is a great opportunity for upcoming leaders who want to get involved in state and national levels, a great opportunity to network with family docs in other states, and a great opportunity to develop resolutions that shape AAFP policies. Delegates will be reimbursed for travel and accommodations for the meeting.

If you are interested in being a delegate for the MAFP in any of the above constituencies, please contact Caley Dawkins at publicawareness@msafp.org.