Over the year, as family physicians, we are presented with many membership renewal requests. I know a couple of emails have come across my inbox recently, one of which is for membership with our own organization, ACFP. When presented with these reminders, I often ask myself why I am paying for these memberships and what I am receiving in return. I am sure you do the same.
Value of Membership
I would like to assure you that your ACFP membership is greatly valued and your support for our organization pays off in many respects. Your membership enables us at ACFP to cultivate a small but enthusiastic staff team who synergistically operationalize the directions of the ACFP Board, elected by you as members. Our staff and Board are your voices at the highest organizational level of ACFP and our committees are the operations that consistently offer you up-to-date, high-quality education and CPD opportunities such as our annual Family Medicine Summit and Thursday Evening Webinars. Your representation on our committees also enables your voice to be heard, so if you are able, I encourage you to see where you can best contribute.
ACFP Priorities
I am proud to say that because of your membership, ACFP can commit to ongoing priorities such as:
- Promoting the value of family physicians as foundational to Alberta’s health care system. Examples include the Heart of Family Medicine and Family Docs Rock campaigns to illustrate patient-doctor relationships as the cornerstone of family medicine
- Advocating for you through government relations as a registered lobbyist in Alberta. Because of your support, ACFP works with government leaders, Alberta Health, and Alberta Health Services to convey your crucial role within health care teams
- Supporting you, our members, in Patient’s Medical Home implementation by advocating for investment in this model of care
- Encouraging research in primary care by promoting projects and programs of research that will make a difference in how we treat our patients, deliver care, teach our learners, and run our practices
Member Survey Results
Your membership also enables ACFP to seek the input of family physicians on a variety of topics, such as our recent Member Survey circulated from June to August. Please have a look at the 2022 Member Survey Results. Your thoughtful responses to this survey are setting the direction for the 2023 ACFP Strategic Framework which we are actively shaping on your behalf.
Your Support
Our ongoing commitment to action is only possible because of your ongoing support and membership. Please don’t forget the social, engagement, and networking opportunities available through ACFP’s many initiatives. This is my favourite reason to renew my ACFP membership each year – I look forward to the opportunities to be surrounded by and to converse with family physicians in real time, sharing our reflections and experiences. Until the next time we can do so in person or virtually, please be in touch at acfppres@acfp.ca.
How to Renew
You can renew your membership to ACFP by logging into your CFPC Member Portal. If you have any questions about renewal, please contact the CFPC Member Care Centre at membership@cfpc.ca or call (toll-free) 1-800-387-6197 ext. 250.
We look forward to continue hearing your voices and working diligently on your behalf.
Sincerely,
Sudha Koppula BSc, MD, MClSc, CCFP, FCFP
President
Alberta College of Family Physicians
