Chapter Newsletter—August 2024
Welcome to your new chapter newsletter!
Over the last year, you’ve consistently asked for more opportunities to connect with your fellow members. With this in mind, the newly-formed Engagement Committee has redesigned this newsletter to include contributions, big and small, from you!
As you explore, please let us know if you have suggestions—click the button below to make a contribution to the next edition!
Annual all-member meeting in September!
It’s that time of year—we’re delighted to invite all members to our Annual Meeting on September 10th! Last year’s event went so well that we’re not messing with the formula: Austin Regional Clinic is generously hosting us again, and the delicious dinner from Loro Asian Smokehouse received so many compliments that we’re bringing it back this year. Hope to see you there!
Board members will be confirmed for their 2024-25 term and all board positions are open, including Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer, as well as at-large seats. All active members are eligible for election. If you’re interested in serving or would like to learn more about a particular position, please let us know!
Resource finds
Parenting Aging Parents is a resource started by two Texas journalists Kim & Mike Barnes. It began as a Facebook Group and still functions there. Their website is a wealth of information with multiple resources gathered, a robust blog, and their centerpiece “Caregiver’s Key – A Guide to Gathering Essential Information” available for purchase. When your “sandwich generation” patients have questions about what to do for aging parents, this is a great place to point them to for assistance and support that is local to Austin. — contributed by Dr. Madelyn Pollock, chapter member from Travis County
In each edition we’ll highlight resources for family physicians that may have flown under your radar—if you have a go-to resource that you think your colleagues may not know about, drop it in the newsletter dropbox!
A day in the life
[COMING NEXT EDITION]
Have you had an interesting experience or interaction at your practice lately? A conversation with a patient or another physician that you found yourself thinking about long after it happened? This section will host short anecdotes and reflections from you and your fellow members! If you have a story you’d like to put down into 75-200 words and share here, send it to us in our newsletter dropbox!
Mark your calendar
August 2024
AUG. 15 — AAFP | Immunization Awareness Month #VaxChat
Thursday, August 15 on X (formerly Twitter)
The American Academy of Family Physicians invites you to join us at @aafp on X to highlight the importance of vaccinations and combat misinformation. Join the chat at 12 p.m. CT/ 1 p.m. ET. Learn more here.
AUG. 20 — AAFP | Child and Adolescent Health Livestream
Tuesday, August 20—Friday, August 23
Learn the latest guidelines for young patients including obesity, mental health, & cyber safety, plus tips for talking with adult caregivers. Learn more and register here.
AUG. 24 — TAFP | 2024 TAFP Student and Resident Summit
Saturday, August 24 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Grapevine, Texas
Join us for TAFP’s first-ever TAFP Student and Resident Summit, which promises to be a unique and innovative event, bringing together family medicine residents and medical students. It will offer attendees an opportunity to connect with peers, participate in a residency and job fair, gain new insights and knowledge, and explore current topics in family medicine. Learn more and register here.
AUG. 27 — AAFP | Advice for Applying to Family Medicine Residencies
Tuesday, August 27 6—7 p.m. CT
Join this free live webinar for tips from a panel of family medicine residency program directors, medical school faculty advisors, and family medicine residents who know how the Match works. Learn more and register here.
September 2024
SEP. 2 — AAFP | Using Health Equity to Reduce Disparities in Patient Care Live Webinar
Monday, September 2
Explore your professional choices to make significant differences in building health equity for all.
SEP. 10 — HoTX | Annual Membership Meeting
Tuesday, September 10 at the ARC Administration Bldg.; drinks at 6:30pm, dinner and meeting commencement at 7pm
Join us for an evening of delicious food and drinks, lively discussion and connecting with fellow chapter members. Catering by Loro Asian Smokehouse. RSVP here!
SEP. 11 — AAFP | Family Medicine Board Review Express Livestream
Wednesday, September 11—Saturday, September 14
Get an in-depth board review to prepare for the ABFM exam from your home or office. Learn more and register here.
SEP. 24 — AAFP | Family Medicine Experience (FMX)
Tuesday, September 24—Saturday, September 28 in Phoenix, AZ
Family medicine’s premier event. Join the best family physicians to lead today’s specialty—and yourself—to greater heights. Learn more and register here.
REMINDER: Licenses expiring in September, October or November may be eligible for renewal online — visit the TMB renewal page for more information and to access the registration/renewal portal.
Awards corner
Our annual grants cycle and scholarships for medical students and residents will be opening again soon—watch this space!
Want to help give money to worthy local causes and area students and residents in financial need? Join our Awards Committee!
Et cetera
Are your patients asking when blood tests for Alzheimer's will become available? Looking for a quick summary about the current status of them? Here's an article your patients may be reading in the lay press: Axios — Blood tests may have an edge spotting Alzheimer's
Things that don’t quite fit elsewhere. Sometimes related to the field, sometimes not. Have a suggestion? Drop it here!
Helpful links
AAFP
TAFP
Texas Medical Association
Austin Public Health
Travis County Medical Society
CDC
MMWR