Pub. 3 2019 Issue 2

Maryann Martindale N ovember marked one year since I took the job as UAFP Executive Director, and what a year it has been. This first year has been a whirlwind of learning and change, with no end on the horizon. One of the biggest changes was our decision to close our offices at the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine (necessitated by their need for the space) and transition to a telecommuting structure. This has been a positive change that saves the chapter money while also providing greater flexibility for the on-the-go schedules of staff. I have had the opportunity to attend some amazing confer- ences and learn from other chapters, most recently return- ing from my second Congress of Delegates. COD is such an inspiring event that showcases the strength and power of a nationwide collaborative organization. Having a strong national academy, as we do with AAFP, gives family medicine a crucial national presence, while also providing invaluable resources for members and chapter staff — resources we could scarcely provide on our own. I survived my first UAFP CME & Ski, and I use the word “sur- vived” without a trace of irony. Both I and our program di- rector, Barbara Munoz, started with only a couple of months to plan and execute the hallmark event of the UAFP Chap- ter. But with a lot of hard work and Barb’s incredible event expertise, we pulled off a successful and profitable event. We see so much potential in this event that we set a stretch goal for even higher attendance and greater return for the 2020 CME & Ski. Shameless plug: please consider attending. Information is available on the website at utahafp.org . Speaking of our website, we launched a brand-new site in August this year! Much of the content on the previous site was outdated, and the design itself needed updating as well. We worked with a local web design company out of Logan, Utah, and are incredibly pleased with the work they have done to give our website a more current look and feel and make it much easier to navigate. We hope you will take a moment to check it out at utahafp.org . Through all of this year’s change and growth, one thing remains constant: my awe of you, our amazing family physi- cians. Your compassion and dedication humble me, and it has been a privilege to get to know so many of you and find ways to help promote the practice of family medicine. As I enter my second year, my focus turns to outreach to our rural members, greater involvement with our student and resident groups, and ensuring an impactful presence during our advocacy efforts both in Utah and nationally. We have a lot to be proud of, and I am excited to help shape the future of family medicine in Utah. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE www.UtahAFP.org | 4