Oregon Academy of Family Physicians

Oregon Academy of Family Physicians Our mission is to support family physicians in their pursuit of optimal health for the people of Oregon.

With over 1,700 members, the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians is the largest medical specialty society in Oregon and is the state chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

As the number of older adults living with multiple chronic conditions continues to grow, research that supports more coo...
08/07/2026

As the number of older adults living with multiple chronic conditions continues to grow, research that supports more coordinated, patient-centered care is increasingly important. The AGING Initiative brings together researchers, healthcare systems, patients, and care partners from across the country to advance innovative research, develop future leaders in aging science, and improve care for older adults with complex health needs. Read more about the Initiative's work and impact below⬇️

The AGING Initiative started in 2014 at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (PI: Dr. Jerry Gurwitz) and transitioned to Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). This collaborative initiative builds research-related resources and a national network of early- and mid-career scientists pursuing an interdisciplinary research agenda focused on the needs of older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs), countering the traditional single-condition, siloed approach to the care of older adults.

This is a highly productive, collaborative, transdisciplinary endeavor bringing together scientists from 20 research institutions. It includes the Health Care Services Research Network centers embedded within healthcare delivery systems that serve more than 2 million people aged 65 and older, as well as university-based centers established by the National Institute on Aging’s Older Americans Independence Centers (OAIC or Pepper Centers).

The AGING Initiative disseminates innovative research, provides mentorship and training for early- and mid-career researchers, and importantly, incorporates the perspectives and insights of older adults living with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs), along with their care partners. In this competitive renewal, the Initiative’s overarching aim is to build on its successful efforts and collaborations while advancing in more ambitious and sustainable directions.

There are many ways the AGING Initiative is advancing how we understand and care for older adults with MCCs. The following are specific examples that highlight this broad initiative.

🩺AGING Initiative Core Activities
• There are multiple AGING Initiative activities that take the next step in developing a sustainable infrastructure to advance the science of MCCs research. These include:
• The MCCs Research Innovation, Translation, and Dissemination Core fosters research innovation and translation of research findings into practice through targeted pilot grants, dissemination of key research findings, and engagement of patients and care partners in research activities.
• The Methods, Methods, and Data Core stimulates development and implementation of innovative research approaches to understand and address the needs of older adults with MCCs.
• The Career Development Core supports the career development and success of early- and mid-stage investigators by expanding the nationwide cohort of emerging leaders in aging research who are committed to the health and healthcare of older adults with MCCs.
• The Insights and Perspectives from Patients and care Partners Panel (IP4) creates a patient-centered scientific network where patients and caregivers can influence and be involved with the direction, conduct, and dissemination of research aimed at improving the lives of older adults with MCCs.

🩺MCCs Scholars Program
Mentorship of the next generation of MCCs researchers is central to the AGING Initiative. Now in its eighth year, the MCCs Scholars Program continues to expand its reach, supporting its eighth cohort of scholars. The program is designed to catalyze interdisciplinary research that advances the field of MCCs. Through this effort, the Initiative is cultivating a growing cohort of emerging leaders committed to improving the health and healthcare of older adults with MCCs.

🩺Tools and Content Available for All
🔴Webinars: The AGING Initiative hosts a range of webinars designed to engage diverse audiences — including patients, caregivers, scientists, clinicians, policymakers, healthcare system leaders, and early-career researchers seeking to expand their skills in MCCs research. Topics have included conducting inclusive research with older adults living with MCCs, understanding the importance of MCCs in emergency department settings, and advancing person-centered care planning for individuals living with MCCs.

🔴Geriatrics Research Instrument Library (GRIL): The Geriatrics Research Instrument Library (GRIL) is a publicly-available, user-friendly website that helps researchers identify and select instruments to assess and measure clinical outcomes relevant to older adults with MCCs across a full range of domains. GRIL was developed in collaboration with the AGING Initiative, Wake Forest University, and Yale Pepper Center and contains nearly 240 instruments across 23 geriatric domains: Anxiety, Caregiver Burden, Cognition/Dementia, Delirium, Depression, Frailty, General Health Status/Quality of Life, Health Behaviors, Hearing, Medical Comorbidity, Medication Adherence, Pain, Physical Activity/Performance, Physical Disability, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, Sleep, Social Determinants of Health, Social Support, Treatment Burden, Vision, Miscellaneous, and Other Instrument Libraries.

🔴Patient & Care Partner Engagement Resources: The center also maintains resources to support investigators in building strong, equitable, and sustainable engagement practices. Meaningful engagement of patients, care partners, and community partners is a central focus of the AGING Initiative, with an emphasis on partnership, transparency, and shared decision-making across all stages of research involving older adults living with MCCs and their families.

We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about the AGING Initiative and its efforts to meaningfully advance research and improve care for older Oregonians living with MCCs and their caregivers: https://theaginginitiative.wordpress.com

Back-to-school season can feel overwhelming for your patients — new schedules, school forms, supply lists, and a lot of ...
08/05/2026

Back-to-school season can feel overwhelming for your patients — new schedules, school forms, supply lists, and a lot of information coming from every direction. Encourage patients to , schedule needed appointments, and ensure their children are up to date on recommended vaccines before the school year begins. Staying on schedule helps protect children, families and communities from preventable diseases.

Have you read the latest issue of Family Physicians of Oregon? The summer issue should have reached your mailboxes, and ...
08/03/2026

Have you read the latest issue of Family Physicians of Oregon?

The summer issue should have reached your mailboxes, and is also available online here: https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=866767&p=1&view=issueViewer. Explore this edition for:

• Dr. Eric Wiser's first President’s Message
• Highlights from the OAFP Annual Conference and OAFP Foundation Auction
• An introduction to the 2026–2027 OAFP Board
• & More!

If you did not receive your magazine copy please reach out to Louise Merrigan at [email protected] to ensure we have your most up-to-date mailing address.

OAFP is at the AAFP FUTURE conference in Kansas City July 30 through August 1! Stop by Booth #1836 to meet the OAFP tea...
07/30/2026

OAFP is at the AAFP FUTURE conference in Kansas City July 30 through August 1! Stop by Booth #1836 to meet the OAFP team, pick up an Oregon passport and learn more about family medicine opportunities across the state. Complete the passport for a chance to win a prize. We hope to see you there!

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain one of the most pressing challenges in family medicine, impacting patients, famili...
07/28/2026

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain one of the most pressing challenges in family medicine, impacting patients, families and entire communities. This free CME course is designed to equip family physicians with the knowledge and tools to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care that addresses these barriers head-on.

Gain a deeper understanding of the neurobiology and psychosocial dimensions of SUDs, and learn practical strategies to integrate harm reduction, trauma-informed approaches and culturally responsive care into your practice. This course will help you strengthen coordination across care systems, reduce stigma and expand access to high-quality services for all patients, especially those in marginalized communities.

This on-demand activity is free. Learn more here: https://www.aafp.org/cme-and-events/topics/chronic-diseases-ambulatory-medicine/addiction-treatment-and-care

The Oregon Academy of Family Physicians is pleased to welcome its new president and board leadership, who were installed...
07/24/2026

The Oregon Academy of Family Physicians is pleased to welcome its new president and board leadership, who were installed during the OAFP Annual Meeting in Sunriver on May 2, 2026.

🩺2026 OAFP President
• Eric M. Wiser, MD, FAAFP, has been named OAFP President. Dr. Wiser practices at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Primary Care Clinic in Gabriel Park. He earned his medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and completed his family medicine residency at the Allegheny Health Network Medical Education Consortium (SVH) Program (both in Pennsylvania). Dr. Wiser also completed an obstetrics fellowship in Spokane, Washington. Dr. Wiser joined the OAFP Board of Directors in 2020 and serves on the OAFP Commission on Education. He holds several leadership roles at OSHU, including serving as director of the Oregon Area Health Education Center, assistant dean for rural undergraduate medical education, and assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine.

🩺New Members of the OAFP Board of Directors
• Gary M. Plant, MD, FAAFP, practices with the Madras Medical Group. He earned his medical degree at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Quillen College of Medicine, and completed his residency at the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine (Bristol program). Dr. Plant has served as a delegate and alternate delegate at the AAFP Congress of Delegates, as past president of the OAFP Board of Directors, as a member of the AAFP Nominating Committee, and as chair of the Congress of Delegates Reference Committee on Practice Enhancement. He was named OAFP Family Doctor of the Year in 2020.

• Admir Seferovic, MD, DABFM, FAAFP, earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport and completed his residency at the Louisiana State University Shreveport Program. He serves on the OAFP Finance Committee and holds leadership roles as Graduate Medical Education Committee Chair and Regional Director of Undergraduate Medical Education at Providence Health & Services – Oregon. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Education at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine.

• Christal V. Crooks, MD, practices with Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Black Health and Wellness in Portland. She earned her medical degree from the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and completed her residency at the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine (Bristol program). Dr. Crooks serves on the Health Impacts Task Force and has represented OAFP at the National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL) as the BIPOC Physician Representative and as the Women Physician Representative.

• Andrew Chang, DO, practices direct primary care at the Bayberry Clinic in Portland. He earned his degree from the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at the MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center (Waterloo program). Dr. Chang represented OAFP at NCCL as the New Physician Representative and as the LGBTQ+ Physician Representative.

We thank these leaders for advancing sustainable, equitable health care in our communities while strengthening connection and shared purpose among family physicians in Oregon.

In his first message as OAFP president, Eric M. Wiser, MD, FAAFP, reflects on the mentors, colleagues, and experiences t...
07/13/2026

In his first message as OAFP president, Eric M. Wiser, MD, FAAFP, reflects on the mentors, colleagues, and experiences that shaped his leadership journey while sharing his vision for supporting family physicians through a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. As the profession faces policy uncertainty and evolving patient needs, Dr. Wiser highlights the importance of community, advocacy, and peer-to-peer learning in helping family physicians navigate the challenges ahead.

⬇️Read the full letter message below:

As I step into the role of president of the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians, I do so with deep gratitude. I am thankful for the colleagues who have shaped this Academy, the mentors who encouraged me to get involved, and my family who make it possible for me to serve.
I first became involved with the Academy during residency in Erie, Pennsylvania, when I served on the Education Committee. I was encouraged in that work by my mentor, Brad Fox, MD, and that support stayed with me. When my family and I moved to Oregon, I was looking for a place to connect with colleagues and continue growing. I found that community in OAFP.

My wife Amy, who is also a family physician, and our son Damon, understand the importance of this work. They have been incredibly supportive, even though it often takes me away from home. I am grateful for their understanding and proud to have their support. Like all of you, I balance the demands of a full schedule with responsibilities and commitments beyond the walls of my practice. That experience and perspective will guide how I approach this year as your president. I want to be thoughtful about what we take on and focused on what matters most to family physicians and the patients we serve.

When I first joined OAFP, it was an exciting time to enter family medicine. I witnessed the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and saw Medicaid expansion improve access for many of my patients. Prenatal patients no longer lost coverage just weeks after delivery. I also saw the rollout of Oregon’s patient-centered medical home model, which reshaped how we deliver care.

Family medicine continues to evolve quickly. Many of the most important lessons do not come from training or textbooks. They come from each other. Much of what I understand about team-based care, behavioral health integration, patients centered care comes from this Academy and conversations with colleagues. I also have the opportunity to teach those lessons to students from across the state.
I learned firsthand about the transformation of primary care while caring for patients in our community. I learned about the patient centered medical home from Evan Saulino, MD, PhD, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBRT) from Nick Gideonse, MD, and about behavioral health integration from Dan Paulson, MD, FAAFP, and Liz Powers, MD, MHA, FAAFP. Together, we navigated a period of rapid change in primary care. I am grateful for what they and so many others have shared.

We are now heading into a period of real uncertainty in health care policy. Changes to Medicaid are expected, and there is the possibility of changes to Medicare in the years ahead. These shifts will directly affect our patients. Some will lose coverage, some will delay care, and many will become sicker as a result. We are losing our patients and they are losing us. I want to remind everyone that progress is not linear. The arc of the moral universe is long and bends toward justice, and I believe we will get there. But in the near term, we will need to adapt.

As we look ahead, one of my priorities is to ensure that OAFP remains a place where family physicians can learn from one another in real time. We need peer-to-peer learning that reflects what is actually happening in our practices.
We also need to amplify our collective voice. The stories we see every day matter. Sharing those stories with each other and with the public helps bring visibility to the real impact of policy decisions. The OAFP has built a strong foundation to ensure physicians have a voice and a seat at the table, whether in committees or before lawmakers. I want to build on that work so we can continue to advocate for our patients and communities.

The coming year will require flexibility. As coverage changes and systems shift, we will need to adapt how we practice and how we care for patients. That is not easy work.

My goal is for OAFP to be a steady source of support during this time. That means sharing timely information, creating opportunities for collaboration, and ensuring members do not feel they are navigating these challenges alone. It also means recognizing the real pressures we face and making space for connection.
This will be a busy year, but also an important one.

I am honored to serve as your president and look forward to the work ahead.

OAFP named Mary Wunderle-McIntosh, MD, FAAFP, its 2026 Doctor of the Year in recognition of her outstanding commitment t...
07/09/2026

OAFP named Mary Wunderle-McIntosh, MD, FAAFP, its 2026 Doctor of the Year in recognition of her outstanding commitment to patients, medical education and rural health care.

For nearly 20 years, Dr. Wunderle-McIntosh has served as a cornerstone of Samaritan Health Services, providing full-spectrum care to patients of all ages in Lebanon and Corvallis. She is widely recognized for her thoughtful, individualized approach to patient care, and colleagues describe her as compassionate, attentive, and deeply committed to understanding the unique circumstances of every patient she serves.

Her impact extends well beyond the exam room. Dr. Wunderle-McIntosh has played a significant role in shaping the next generation of family physicians through her leadership in medical education and residency training. As the first site director of Samaritan’s rural family medicine clinical training site and the program’s sole family medicine-obstetrics faculty member, she served for years as the only female faculty member modeling comprehensive women’s health care within the residency program.

Currently serving as associate program director of the family medicine residency program, Dr. Wunderle-McIntosh advocates for comprehensive, full-scope training for medical students and residents, with a particular emphasis on women’s health and rural practice. She will soon continue that work as associate program director of a rural training program in Michigan.

Colleagues also note her ability to foster a supportive environment for staff, learners and peers, treating team members with the same kindness and respect she extends to patients. Beyond medicine, Dr. Wunderle-McIntosh remains deeply engaged in her community through volunteer work in local schools, support of youth activities, participation in community events, and advocacy for patients and families.

Those who know Dr. Wunderle-McIntosh consistently describe her with one word: kindness. Whether caring for patients, mentoring learners, leading colleagues, or serving her community, she exemplifies the values at the heart of family medicine — relationships, trust, continuity, and care across generations.

📢You're Invited!Join OAFP for an informal open house from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, at the OAFP office, locat...
07/06/2026

📢You're Invited!

Join OAFP for an informal open house from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, at the OAFP office, located at 3825 NE Tillamook St. in Portland.

This casual gathering is a great opportunity to connect with fellow members, visit the OAFP office and spend time with colleagues in a relaxed setting. We hope you will stop by, say hello and enjoy an afternoon of conversation and community. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are planning to attend!

🙏We appreciate everyone who wrote resolutions, provided input, or attended this year's Congress of Members. The followin...
07/02/2026

🙏We appreciate everyone who wrote resolutions, provided input, or attended this year's Congress of Members. The following resolutions were discussed and the action taken is noted:

• “Appropriate use of AI in Family Medicine” (Adopted with Substitute Resolution)

• “Advance Care Planning Education Initiative for Youth and Community” (Adopted as Written)

• “Support for the Use of Federal Health Dollars by States for the Funding of State-Based Universal Health Care” (Adopted as Written)

• “Evidence-Based Standards for Pediatric Gender Distress and Detransition Care” (Not Adopted)

Click here to see the full text of these resolutions and for a recap of the meeting https://oafp.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-Reference-Committee-Report_final.pdf

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Portland, OR
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