We invite you to give back to the growth of the osteopathic family medicine profession by contributing to MAOFP's MSUCOM student scholarship.  The scholarship is awarded each year to a third or fourth year student enrolled in the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine who is planning a career in family medicine.

Donate online or by mail. Use the allocation code AS000108. to direct your gift to the MAOFP Endowed Scholarship.

Mail your contribution:

MSUCOM

Attn: Tricia Bradford

965 Fee Hall Road, Room A310

East Lansing, MI  48824

MAOFP is seeking volunteers for the Board of Directors. This is an opportunity to positively impact family medicine in Michigan and build relationships. As an association, we are looking for diversity in thought, perspective and experience. The role of every board member is to approve the organizational direction, ensure necessary resources are available to members and provide oversight of the organization. Applications are due by April 4.

Learn more and apply

MAOFP is requesting nominations for our prestigious awards:

• Family Physician of the Year
• Lawrence Abramson Distinguished Service Award
• Osteopathic Family Medicine Resident of the Year
• MSUCOM Student Physician of the Year

These awards seek to recognize individual(s) exemplifying outstanding dedication to the profession by contribution to the advancement of osteopathic family practice in the state of Michigan.

Learn more and nominate a deserving individual using the links below. Nominations for MSUCOM Student of the Year are due by February 1. All others are due March 1.

Submit a nomination today

Legislation was recently introduced in the Michigan Senate that, if passed, would grant full autonomy to nurse practitioners (NP) in the state. Among the provisions of Senate Bill 680 are allowing NPs, without undergoing additional training or education, to care for patients absent of physician supervision or collaboration, and to prescribe opioids and other controlled substances.

Data shows that team-based, physician-led care results in better quality outcomes, higher patient and physician satisfaction, and more cost-effective care. This is especially true when comparing collaborative care with the type of independent practice sought by allied health professionals such as nurse practitioners. Paramount is that the interests of patients are best served when their care is provided by a physician or through an integrated practice supervised directly by a physician, as the education and training of physicians and allied health professionals is not interchangeable. Through their expansive training, which consists of and average of 21,700 training and clinical hours, physicians bring a broader and deeper expertise to the diagnosis and treatment of health problems. Comparatively, nurse practitioners are required to have approximately 5,350 training and clinical hours.

To amplify our work on scope of practice issues to protect the safety of patients and the practice of family medicine, MAOFP has joined MiACCT (Michigan for Advancing Collaborative Care Teams), a collaboration of more than 20 healthcare organizations in the state committed to growing, strengthening, and preserving physician-led, team-based care.

Make sure your Senator knows Nurse Practitioners should be part of the care team, not independent from it and to vote NO on Senate Bill 680.

Take Action

Visit the MiACCT Website

Earlier this year MAOFP presented a resolution in favor of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) coverage expansion for patients with a diagnosis of obesity and morbid obesity. The resolution was approved by the ACOFP Congress of Delegates. Now, ACOFP submitted a letter of support for S. 1536/H.R. 3108, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2021, introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Gary Peters (D-MI) and Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Fred Upton (R-MI).

Currently, Medicare only covers MNT when a patient is diagnosed with diabetes or renal disease. The Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2021 would expand Medicare Part B coverage for MNT services for patients diagnosed with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, malnutrition, cardiovascular disease and other conditions, allowing physicians to refer more beneficiaries to dieticians and nutrition professionals to help manage a wider range of chronic diseases through MNT.

MAOFP is excited to launch it's newest on-demand learning opportunities! Earn up to 28 CME credits at your convenience through the following education packages:

• LARA Requirements On-Demand Education (6.25 CME credits) - FREE for MAOFP members
• The Business of Medicine On-Demand Program (7.0 CME credits)
• 2021 Highlights: Clinical On-Demand Education (14.75 CME credits)

Learn more and register!

MAOFP is looking for members to share their story to build better engagement, relationships and generate a larger interest for those not a part of the organization. We're asking our members to fill out a questionnaire, that we will then compile your answers into a MAOFP blog story. Those who submit will have the ability to read and approve their story prior to it being published.

Examples of questions include:

• Why did you first decide to get into the medical profession?

• What do you think is the greatest value of being an MAOFP member?

• How has your membership with MAOFP helped you become a more active member of Michigan’s Osteopathic Physician community?

Share your stories today!

MAOFP aligned with ImmunizeDC and 60 other organizations across the nation to urge expedited passage of legislation aimed at improving the health of older Americans, eliminating confusion and disparities in coverage for FDA-approved and CDC recommended vaccines and improving vaccination rates for our nation’s seniors - a group that the pandemic has shown is most vulnerable to serious communicable diseases.

Read the letter here.

MAOFP is seeking volunteers to positively impact the field of osteopathic family medicine through involvement in our committees. Contact Nichole Dennis at director@maofp.org with any questions or to get involved.

Available committees include:

• Government Affairs
• Advocacy
• Membership and Mentorship
• Physician Well-Being
• Bylaws
• Nominations & Awards
• Education

 Click here to learn more about each committee and their responsibilities.

MAOFP is now accepting advertisements for the 2021 Fall Issue of the MAOFP Connections Newsletter. This digital publication focuses on best practices, trends, and legislative news impacting the field of osteopathic family medicine. The current issue of the publication is available to the public until the next issue is released. The deadline to apply as an advertiser for the upcoming issue is Friday, September 24. Learn more here.