IOWA ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS (IAFP)

How family medicine student and resident members

can get involved in the IAFP! 

What opportunities are there to serve with the Academy of Family Physicians?

Both the IAFP and AAFP have opportunities for residents and students to serve.  On the IAFP we have two resident board members, a director and an alternate director.  These positions are selected by the Resident’s Council.  A resident IAFP member can also serve on the IAFP’s committees, Member Advocacy, Member Services, and Education.  The IAFP Board also has two student members.  These student board members are selected by the family medicine interest group at the University of Iowa and Des Moines University.  Family medicine students from both schools are also encouraged to serve on an IAFP committee.

How Will I Benefit?

There are many ways you can benefit as a member of the IAFP Board or committees.  Most importantly, you are part of the big picture in family medicine.  You make great contacts and lasting friendships as you contribute to making healthcare better for your patients and your community.

•          Participate in the discussion of issues key to health care delivery and to family medicine

•          Learn how important public policy is to health care

•          Learn how the legislative process effects health care and how important it is to be an advocate for your patients in the legislative process

•          Cultivate organization and communication skills

•          Learn more about topics of special interest

•          Let your voice be heard as you discuss issues of importance to you and how to take action

•         Spend time with other IAFP leaders who share common interests and concerns

Your voice is important!  Contact the IAFP at 515-283-9370 to get involved today!

The AAFP has many resources available to students and residents and many ways to get involved.  To learn about AAFP resources and opportunities visit www.aafp.org and enter student resources OR resident resources in the search field or call the AAFP at 800-274-2237.

A tobacco-free education program for kids from

the American Academy of Family Physicians

HELP YOUR LOCAL CHILDREN!

CONSIDER BEING A TAR WARS® PRESENTER

Tar Wars® is a tobacco education program presented to students in the 4^th and 5^th grade by area physicians, PA’s, nurses or other health care providers and volunteers.  It gives a positive message about the benefits of remaining smoke-free.  It is intended to prevent our youth from the temptation of lighting up that first cigarette.

Following a Tar Wars presentation, students are encouraged to create a poster illustrating the positive effects of remaining tobacco-free.  Schools choose their best poster to be entered into the state poster contest held late April.  The first place Iowa winner receives flight and hotel cost to attend the National Tar Wars Poster Contest in Washington D.C. in July and the opportunity to meet with legislators.  All students who place 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd place in the state contest receive a winner’s certificate, press release and a gift certificate to a local store.   In addition, the schools of those winners receive cash awards!  Support of Tar Wars and winner prizes is provided by the IAFP Foundation.  The 2007 winning posters can be viewed on the Tar Wars link from the IAFP website under the Awards & Community Involvement link.

Presenters for Tar Wars are needed all around the state!  Tar Wars is simple and fun and a great way to have a positive impact in your community!  Complete information and program guide are available from the Tar Wars website www.tarwars.org 

If you are interested in presenting TAR WARS® in your community, please sign up from this link www.iaafp.org/en/forms/tar_wars_presenter.cfm or contact the IAFP at 515-283-9370.  We will notify you if a school near you requests the Tar Wars program.