The Show-Me-State Update is your source for the latest news and information impacting the medical community. Time-sensitive information and requests related to healthcare, advocacy issues, and professional development opportunities from MAFP are included.

May 2026 – MAFP News & Events

Learn More. Connect More. Miss Less.

MAFP is pleased to offer exceptional, engaging, and interactive CME opportunities with special pricing for our members. Members are encouraged to register early to secure a seat and lodging.

Walk Away with Tools You’ll Use Your Next Clinic Day

Midwest Women’s Health Symposium: Practical CME for Family Physicians
August 28–29, 2026 | Hotel Vandivort, Springfield, MO

You manage complex care every day – this conference is designed to support exactly that.

Imagine this…You’ll walk into a session where:

• The answer isn’t just “what are the guidelines?”
• It’s what do you actually do when the guidelines don’t fully fit the patient in front of you.
• And you leave with tools you can use in your next clinic day.

Join us in Springfield for a women’s health experience built around the full lifespan of care, with sessions that are practical, relevant, and immediately applicable in your practice.

If you appreciated last year’s symposium, this one builds on that momentum – with even more intentional design, hands-on learning, and focused discussions.

Get the full schedule, registration details and lodging information by visiting www.mo-afp.org/symposium.

Charting YOUR course starts here!

MAFP 34th Annual Fall Conference – Charting the Course: Navigating the Depth of Family Medicine
November 13-14, 2026 | Margaritaville Lake Resort, Osage Beach, MO

If you valued last year’s experience, you will not want to miss what is ahead.

This conference is designed for physicians who want high-value education, meaningful connection with colleagues, and a schedule that respects your time. Whether your goals is to stay current clinically, gain practical tools, or reconnect with peers, this conference is structured to deliver.

What You Will Gain:

• Immediate clinical application for patient care
• Tools to improve efficiency in your practice workflow
• Increased confidence in managing common and complex conditions
• Relevant updates that impact your daily work
• Connection with colleagues to share real-world solutions

Early-bird registration discount is available until 9/1/2026, so register early! Late registration penalty will be added starting 10/13/2026.

More information and registration available at www.mo-afp.org/annual-fall-conference.

Looking Ahead… You Might Want to Grab Your Calendar

If you’re anything like most family physicians, your schedule fills up faster than you’d like to admit. So consider this your friendly nudge to block a few dates now — your future self will thank you.

Coming Up in 2027

Midwest Mental Health Symposium
June 11–12, 2027 | The Elms Hotel & Spa | Excelsior Springs, MO
A setting designed for reflection, connection, and meaningful conversations around mental health — both for your patients and yourself.

35th Annual Fall Conference
September 10–11, 2027 | Union Station | St. Louis, MO
A signature MAFP event bringing together family physicians from across the state for high-impact education, connection, and just the right amount of fun in one of Missouri’s most iconic venues.

Looking Ahead to 2028

36th Annual Fall Conference
October 27–28, 2028 | Union Station | St. Louis, MO
Yes, we’re going back. Because some venues are just that good.

Midwest Infectious Disease Symposium (2028)
Location & Dates Coming Soon
Where would you like to go in Missouri? Lake views? A walkable downtown? A hidden gem? Stay tuned, this one is worth the wait.

One Last Thought: We design these events with one goal in mind: To make your time away from clinic worth it. Practical education. Meaningful connection. A chance to recharge, even just a little.

Help Shape Our Future Conferences

We’re looking for speakers and session ideas for upcoming events, and we’d love your input. Know someone engaging? Have a topic that’s practical and relevant to family medicine? Or something you’ve thought, “more people need to hear this”?

Opportunities Include:
Midwest Mental Health Symposium
June 11–12, 2027 | Excelsior Springs, MO

35th Annual Fall Conference
September 10–11, 2027 | St. Louis, MO

…and future events beyond.

We’re Looking For:
✔ Practical, real-world topics
✔ Interactive or case-based sessions
✔ Fresh perspectives for family physicians

Send ideas or recommendations to: Andrea Holloway, MAFP Member Experience Manager, aholloway@mo.afp.org

Sometimes the best sessions start with a simple idea, and we’d love to hear yours.

Student Essay Contest: Share Your Vision for Family Medicine

MAFP student members are invited to participate in the 2026 Family Medicine Essay Contest, centered on the theme: “What will the future of family medicine look like, and how will you help shape it?”

Open to Missouri medical student members, the contest encourages reflection on the role of family medicine in improving patient care and strengthening communities. Essays should be 500–1,000 words and demonstrate insight, originality, and a commitment to the specialty.

Winners will receive cash prizes ($300, $200, $100), publication in Missouri Family Physician Magazine, and recognition at MAFP’s Annual Awards Gala. Submissions are due August 1, 2026.

Please share this opportunity with medical students in your network who may be interested in contributing their voice.

Learn more and submit: https://www.mo-afp.org/join/residents-students/essay/

Invitation to Partner with the Midwest QIN-QIO for No-Cost Quality Improvement Support

The MAFP Executive Director, Bill Plank, serves on the Executive Leadership Council for Telligen and Mountain Pacific’s award to serve as the CMS Midwest Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO), part of the national Quality Improvement Organization program (QIO Program 13th SoW | CMS). As such, they have asked to share this valuable opportunity with Missouri’s family physicians. If somebody else in your organization should be aware of this opportunity, please share this information with them. 

Quality initiatives are an integral part of providing healthcare, however, there are only so many hours in a day, which is why we are reaching out to share information on no-cost technical quality improvement support and services available through the Midwest QIN-QIO. 

If you’ve already enrolled with the Midwest QIN-QIO and returned the participation agreement, thank you! If not, this program is designed to provide you with valuable assistance in the focus areas shown below. This includes access to a no-cost cybersecurity assessment and support for advancing use of health IT and interoperability to improve outcomes.  

The opportunity to enroll ends in mid-May 2026, so the QIO team would love to schedule a brief call at your earliest convenience to discuss how the QIO can support your quality improvement goals. If interested, please contact the QIO team here: https://midwestcmsqinqio.com/about-us/contact-us/.   

• If you are ready to enroll now without the need for a brief call, please sign our nonbinding Provider Service Agreement, found here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019db0a84f577f74932b685b9e41ef5f.
• Here is more information about the benefits of partnering with the QIO: https://midwestcmsqinqio.com/ and  Enrollment Campaign – Midwest CMS QIN QIO.  

We know Missouri’s family physicians are already deeply committed to quality improvement. Your assigned Quality Improvement Advisor’s goal is simply to support, amplify and supplement the QI work you are already doing. The QIO team of quality improvement experts, clinicians, and data analysts can provide: 

• No-cost, customized quality improvement support  
• Subject matter expertise in the focus areas listed above 
• Data insights, performance feedback and benchmarking to help identify opportunities and track progress 
• Connections with hospitals and community providers to strengthen transitions of care and reduce avoidable readmissions and emergency dept. visits 
• Flexible engagement options—from one-on-one support to collaborative sessions with regional or corporate leadership teams 
• Best practices shared from a network of providers across 14 states. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to improving care for patients and families. 

Updated Career Benchmark Dashboard: Compensation, Satisfaction & More 

As professional opportunities evolve and grow in family medicine, having reliable career data matters more than ever. Now that data is here.   

The Career Benchmark Dashboard has been newly updated with insights from 8,500+ family physicians, giving you access to real-world data on compensation, benefits and career satisfaction across the specialty. 

 What’s new in 2026:

• 35+ clinical area of focus and practice setting filters that make it easier to zoom in on specific career paths, such as hospital medicine, direct primary care, family medicine with obstetrics, urgent care and more
• More data on factors beyond compensation, like family physicians’ feelings on autonomy and the ability to make a meaningful difference 

 The latest data also shows that family medicine compensation has grown nearly 9% over the past two years. Now is a smart time to understand what information is available to you, whether you’re reviewing a contract, mentoring a future family physician or simply planning your next move. 

Explore this powerful resource and use it to support informed, confident career decisions at every stage of practice.  Visit the Career Benchmark Dashboard  

Updated 2026 AAFP Immunization Schedules Now Available

AAFP immunization schedules for children and adults are newly updated for 2026. These schedules will help you make strong recommendations, support shared decision-making and reduce missed opportunities in yourworkflow. 

Key updates include: 

• Integration of new vaccine products and options 
• Clearer guidance in complex or rapidly evolving areas 
• Improved presentation to better support routine clinical care 
• Family medicine-specific framing and clinical perspective 

The 2026 AAFP immunization schedules reflect a broad review of recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and other evidence-based bodies, assessments of emerging science, and collaboration with professional society partners and coalitions. 

Access the updated schedules at www.aafp.org/vaccines. 

For questions, contact Karen Campbell, AAFP Clinical and Health Policy Specialist, at kcampbell@aafp.org. 

New Brain Health Resources for Your Practice 

You are uniquely positioned to support brain health across the lifespan-from prevention and early screening to diagnosis and ongoing care. To help strengthen these efforts, the AAFP has released several new resources designed to support conversations with patients and improve early detection of cognitive concerns. 

These tools are practical and ready for use in your practice: 

• Podcast episodes: two new episodes focused on brain health, early screening and integrating cognitive care into routine visits 
• Conversation guides: two guides to support patient discussions on brain health and cognitive concerns 
• Fact sheet: key information on risk factors, prevention and early detection of cognitive decline 
• Infographics: visual tools highlighting brain health across the lifespan and links to chronic conditions 
• Member videos: Peer perspectives on incorporating cognitive care into practice workflows 
• Patient resources: new materials available on http://familydoctor.org to share directly with patients and caregivers 

Early engagement matters. Consider integrating these tools into annual wellness visits and routine care discussions. 

Access Resources 

Strengthen Cognitive Care in Your Practice 

Because you are often the first to notice signs of cognitive decline, the Cognitive Care in Family Medicine Settings Quality Improvement project is designed to help family medicine teams integrate cognitive evaluation, diagnosis and management into everyday clinical workflows. 

 Participants receive education, training and practical implementation strategies to support earlier identification of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in primary care. Using an Office Champions model, practices designate a team member to help lead the implementation of evidence-based strategies that support cognitive care at the point of care. Findings will be shared on how the practices use the tools and what is most effective. 

Through this project, participating practices can strengthen their approach to cognitive evaluation while helping the AAFP and the University of Washington identify barriers and gaps that affect early diagnosis in family medicine settings. 

Apply to Participate 

Your Voice. Your Experience. Your Impact.

No matter your stage in practice, your voice matters—and we want to hear from you!

The Missouri Academy of Family Physicians is looking for article submissions for upcoming magazine issues. Share your knowledge, expertise, and accomplishments that can benefit, inform, or inspire your fellow family medicine physicians—whether it’s a promotion, award, research findings, clinical insight, emerging trend in your specialty, or unique experience from the field.

Use the Article Submission Form to submit your article for consideration. Medical students and residents are encouraged to submit scholarly articles or case reports with physician collaboration. Subspecialist physician colleagues are also invited to contribute content that supports family medicine.

For more info, contact Andrea Holloway, Member Engagement Manager, at aholloway@mo-afp.org.

Let’s build something meaningful together.

ADFM LEADS Fellowship Call for Applications

The ADFM LEADS Fellowship is designed for those interested in learning more about senior leadership positions in academic family medicine and for those who aspire to become a senior leader in academic medicine or an academically affiliated health system. Chapters may wish to share this with members who: 1) have a clear connection to family medicine in an academic medical center or an academic affiliated health system and 2) have at least 3 years of leadership experience in a position where you have had some responsibility managing personnel and budget and strategic direction. This fellowship is open to physicians and administrators. 

The goal of the fellowship is to train pluripotent leaders to have the skills/understanding of a high-level leadership position like a department chair/service line leader and who would also be competitive for other leadership positions beyond the scope of their current role within an academic medical center or an academic affiliated health system. It is designed to be complementary to other programs and to also offer something unique without overlap, with an intent to provide high-level leaders for the discipline. 

Some highlights of the program to help you get ready for the next step in your career include: 

• An emphasis on strategic career planning; 
• A cohort-responsive curriculum built around key competencies for family medicine leaders; 
• Small learning communities with: weekly fellowship time for webinars, journal club, project check-ins; 
• Mentorship and networking opportunities; 
• An individual project emphasizing an area of personal development. 

The cost of participation in the ADFM LEADS Fellowship this year is $9,500. This fee covers all materials and expenses for LEADS Program sessions. It also covers the registration fees for the two ADFM Annual Conferences attended by LEADS Fellows. This does not include additional travel, lodging and some meal fees. 

For an application to be considered complete, candidates need to have: 

• The application form 
• The nominator form must be completed by your nominator (within or outside your institution – may be your supervisor or not) 
• The time/financial commitment form must be filled out by your direct supervisor 

Visit the ADFM LEADS website for more details or reach out to JoBeth Hamon. Completed applications are due by June 8, 2026 

Shape the Future of Family Medicine at FMAS 2026

Registration is open for the AAFP’s Family Medicine Advocacy Summit 2026 (FMAS), June 14–16, 2026, in Washington, DC.  

Pro tip: register ASAP to have a chance at staying in the host hotel.

Join family physicians from across the country for three inspiring days to:   

• Dive into timely policy discussions.  
• Strengthen your advocacy skills.  
• Take your voice directly to Capitol Hill-meeting with Congressional offices to advocate for your patients, your colleagues and your specialty.  

You’ll also hear from Main Stage speakers including:   

• Nathan Gonzalez, editor and publisher of Inside Elections  
• Holly Amaya, crisis communications manager, media trainer, brand expert and communications coach, sharing how family physicians can make their stories more influential  

Sign up early and save. Members are just $340 through May 15.  

Register Now   

Please note: While the AAFP does its best to ensure every FMAS attendee gets a meeting with their district offices, we cannot guarantee this due to the fluidity of Congressional schedules. We encourage members to register as early as possible to allow adequate time for scheduling. Those who register after June 5, 2026, are less likely to have these meetings secured and may join their state delegation in meetings previously set.  

Family Medicine Advocacy Rounds – Issue 46, April 2026

Welcome to Family Medicine Advocacy Rounds — the American Academy of Family Physicians’ monthly tip sheet to educate, engage and update you on the latest policy issues affecting family physicians and their patients. 

AAFP Urges DHS to Expedite Visas for IMGs 

 Why it matters: Family medicine relies heavily on international medical graduates (IMGs) to meet patient care needs, but ongoing delays in visa processing are worsening workforce shortages and disrupting care continuity. Backlogs and uncertainty around J-1 waivers, H-1B extensions and green card applications are forcing some physicians to delay residency start dates, cut back hours or leave their communities altogether. 

 What we’re working on:  

• AAFP led a coalition letter to the Departments of Homeland Security and State urging expedited processing of visas and immigration benefits for IMGs who are essential to the U.S. physician workforce, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
• We have also endorsed the H-1Bs for the Physicians and Healthcare Workforce Act, legislation that would exempt physicians from the new H-1B $100,000 fee. 
• The AAFP is calling on the departments to use existing tools—such as premium processing and expedited review—to fast-track applications for already credentialed physicians ready to practice.
• The AAFP is also continuing to work with federal partners to improve coordination across agencies and reduce immigration-related barriers to care, while longer-term workforce solutions are developed. 

 Family Physicians Weigh In on AHEAD Proposed Rule 

 Why it matters: A proposed rule for the new Workforce Pell program would open eligibility to individuals with bachelor’s degrees but exclude anyone who has already earned a graduate credential. Restricting eligibility in this way could unintentionally shut out learners who are trying to reskill or change careers, particularly those from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds who often follow non-linear education paths.  

 Limiting federal aid based solely on credentials, rather than financial need or workforce demand, risks reinforcing existing inequities instead of addressing workforce gaps. 

What we’re working on: 

• In a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, the AAFP urged a broader approach, recommending that access to Workforce Pell be based on need and workforce goals rather than prior degree status.
• We called for more inclusive eligibility criteria that allow all qualified individuals, including physicians, to access Workforce Pell funding.
• The AAFP urged the Department of Education to ensure this program supports a diverse, adaptable workforce and expands opportunities for those seeking to enter or remain in high-need fields like primary care.  

AAFP Voices Support for Chronic Care Management Legislation  

Why it matters: Chronic care management, such as care coordination, electronic care planning and managing transitions between clinicians, have been shown to improve patient outcomes, boost satisfaction and reduce hospitalizations and emergency visits. Despite these benefits, only about 4% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries currently use CCM, largely due to cost-sharing barriers and confusion about billing. Removing coinsurance could open access to millions more patients while also lowering overall Medicare spending.  

What we’re working on:  

• The AAFP supports the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2026, which would expand access to coordinated care for Medicare patients with chronic conditions. The bill would eliminate the current 20% coinsurance requirement for Chronic Care Management (CCM) services—an out-of-pocket cost that has limited uptake of these high-value services.
• The AAFP joined 39 other health care stakeholders in supporting this important legislation. Improving chronic conditions starts with ensuring patients can afford care from their family physician. 

AAFP Supports Event for LEAD Model 

The AAFP participated in an in‑person convening focused on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ new Long‑Term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model, joining physician groups, accountable care leaders and federal officials to discuss the future of value-based care. The meeting coincided with the model’s rollout and included engagement from CMS leadership, highlighting continued federal focus on strengthening accountable care. 

The AAFP is actively collaborating with partners and federal officials to help shape LEAD implementation, with a focus on supporting primary care–led models, reducing administrative burden and ensuring long-term stability for participating practices. 

 Regulatory Roundup 

The AAFP has been active in the regulatory space, weighing in on proposed rules that would impact physicians, patients and practices. Here are a few highlights: 

• CRUSH RFI: The AAFP submitted comments on CMS’ proposed CRUSH RFI aimed at reducing fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid.
• While the AAFP supports efforts to strengthen the Medicare and Medicaid programs, we cautioned that many current and proposed administrative requirements, such as documentation, audits and prior authorization, place heavy burdens on family physicians without effectively targeting fraud.
• AAFP warned these demands contribute to clinician burnout and may accelerate physician practice consolidation.
• AAFP urges changes to 340B rebate pilot: The AAFP submitted comments to HRSA opposing a proposed 340B pilot that would deviate from current practice and require community health centers to pay full price for some drugs upfront and wait for rebates. We warned this could strain limited resources and delay access to affordable medications and urged HRSA to exempt these centers.
• AAFP weighs in on FDA e-cigarette guidance: The AAFP raised concerns about youth harm from e-cigarettes while cautiously supporting the FDA’s draft guidance to be more strident on flavored products. We called for strict, risk-based standards across all electronic nicotine delivery systems, emphasizing that youth-appealing flavors should only be approved with strong evidence of helping adults quit smoking and urging continued enforcement against illegal products.  
   

NASEM Meeting Spotlights Primary Care 

Dr. Yalda Jabbarpour, Director of the Robert Graham Center (RGC) presented at the at the National Academies of Science workshop, “Exploring Opportunities to Improve Patient Access to Care through Strategic Changes to Graduate Medical Education.” She discussed the importance of comprehensive data, especially as it relates to measuring the successful retention and recruitment of primary care physicians in communities of greatest need. At the conference she discussed RGC’s development of the Graduate Medical Education Impact Quotient (GME-IQ) data tool, which measures primary care output with a focus on practicing in high needs areas.  

AAFP CEO Testifies Before Congress on U.S. Health Care Affordability 

AAFP EVP and CEO Shawn Martin testified last month before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. For decades, the U.S. has woefully underinvested in primary care, and patients are paying the price. In his testimony, Martin outlined six steps policymakers can take to start to correct the affordability crisis in health care: 

1. Double the nation’s financial investment in primary care and the primary care workforce.  
2. Reform Medicare payment to better value the actual care physicians deliver to patients, rather than overvaluing health care facilities.  
3. Establish a regulatory framework that supports independent physician-led payment models like direct primary care.  
4. Create space to allow physicians to focus on patients by reducing administrative complexity.  
5. Remove financial barriers to accessing primary care.  
6. Promote proven, evidence-based interventions like vaccines.  

What We’re Reading 

• The voice of a physician has always carried weight, especially when it comes to advocacy for public policies. In a new essay for Johns Hopkins University, AAFP President Sarah C. Nosal, M.D., FAAFP, dispels misconceptions about physician-led advocacy.
• MedPage Today highlighted the AAFP-led coalition letter urging expedited processing of visas and immigration benefits for IMGs. “We urge the departments [of State and Homeland Security] to act swiftly to implement targeted, lawful relief that recognizes the national interest in ensuring that qualified physicians can enter, remain and continue serving patients in the U.S. without unnecessary delay,” the AAFP said.
• Shawn Martin’s Congressional testimony on health care affordability was quoted in Becker’s Hospital Review.