December 4, 2022

Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. Yet it ranks 48th for primary care physicians per 100,000 residents. Let that
sink in.

After a two-year hiatus on international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 was a big year for me in Global Medicine: traveling to four countries, navigating several foreign languages, and partnering with seven different international medical organizations. I am lucky to be in a position that allows me to travel internationally for global health outreach, although typically not this often! Because of the greater-than-usual experience this year, UAFP reached out to ask if I had any lessons learned from these experiences to share. As in most aspects of life, lessons are abundant, but I have narrowed it down to just three.

On February 23, 2022, very few people in the western world knew what the Ukrainian flag looked like. A request to describe anything about it would be met with blank stares, except for those who envisioned that it may still resemble the flag of the Soviet Union, hammer and sickle over a dark red background. I dare say that even most Polish people, immediate Ukrainian neighbors to the west, would have no idea. But once Russia invaded Ukraine for no legitimate reason outside of Putin’s selfish maniacal narcissism, millions in the western world immediately recognized the depiction of the blue sky over the fields of golden grain representing the country I love.

Schedule and CME accreditation info available at utahafp.org/education/cme-ski.

I grew up in West Haven, Utah – a small town west of Ogden. I still have the small-town habit of waving to everyone I see as I walk down the street. I love being outside – which for me includes snowboarding, climbing, canyoneering, and hiking. I also love baking and have taken on a recent task to try and perfect my bagel recipe!

I grew up in Kaysville, UT, and graduated from dear old Davis High School. After graduation, I served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the beautiful state of Montana. When I returned home, I started my undergraduate studies at Utah State University and absolutely loved it.

I grew up in Provo, attended Timpview High School, was an All-State cross country and track athlete, and trained under Hall of Fame coach Brian Kuhlmann. I turned down scholarship offers at multiple schools and competed at BYU as a preferred walk-on, fulfilling a lifelong dream of wearing the cougar uniform. After a church mission in Brazil, I decided that my racing days were over, and it was time to focus on school. I regularly tell my adolescent patients that my high school GPA was 2.94 and my college GPA was 3.85, hoping to help them gain self-confidence and to recognize their own potential, even though they have failed classes.

And we’re back! After two years of meeting virtually, chapter delegates to the AAFP Congress could finally meet in person. This year’s congress was in Washington, D.C., a fitting location for our own family medicine legislative body.

UAFP’s Annual Meeting was held this year at Thanksgiving Point. We were so glad to host this event in person again and see so many physicians at every stage of their careers, from those early in their medical school journey to those semi-retired. We were also excited to kick off our 75th anniversary as the family physician association in Utah
this year!

The Utah Academy of Family Physicians has several committees that help determine the direction of the work of UAFP staff and board. And the more representation we have from across the state, the better we can determine how best to serve family physicians in different geographic locations, places in their careers, types of practices, and times in their lives. Being a committee member does not have to mean a huge time commitment. Almost all meetings are held remotely, and you can determine your level of involvement based on the time you have to give.

Thank you for your service to the UAFP Board! Executive Committee Saphu Pradhan, MDPresident  Michael Chen, MDPresident-Elect Chad Spain, MD, FAAFPImmediate Past President Lynsey Drew, DO, FAAFPTreasurer At-Large Shannon Baker, MDCraig Batty, DOJohn Berneike, MDMarlin Christianson, MDZoe Cross, MDAmy de la Garza, MDNicholas Hanson, MDTiffany Ho, MDMatthew Johnston, MD, FAAFPBernadette Kiraly, MDMarlana Li, MD, FAAFP

There’s a lot going on in our world right now. The challenges of the COVID pandemic have changed, but the strain it has caused and continues to cause is palpable to all of us in varying degrees. Like many of you, I have spent considerable time reflecting on ways to move forward, focusing on how to provide excellent care for patients and how to thrive personally and professionally. This has been no easy feat.

Unless you’ve been in space for the past few years, you are well aware of the divides we are seeing in this country. I have heard the same question over and over again: “Has it ever been this bad?”