Society of Primary Care Policy Fellows

President’s Report
June 2005

Presented by Michael Carter, DNSc, FNP, FAAN

The Society of Primary Care Policy Fellows (SPCPF) continues as a small, but committed, band of primary care advocates.   We continue to serve the nation as the interdisciplinary primary care advocacy organization.  Each of us comes from a different perspective and it is the wonderful mosaic of these perspectives that forms the basis of our work

What follows is a summary of several activities in which the SPCPF engaged over the past year, relative to the organization’s strategic goals.  The SPCPF is indebted to the Fellows in the Washington, DC-metro area whose proximity to the hub of policy activities enables their participation on our behalf in many different venues. 

Goal I:                   Advocate for Primary Care

v      Hill-based Forum on Rural Health

·         The AAFP Robert Graham Policy Center invited the SPCPF to join as a co-sponsor for the Hill-based forum - The Future of Rural Health Care -  held in January 2005.

·         SPCPF served on the steering committee for program planning and assisted promotion efforts for the event.

·         The program highlighted recent IOM report on rural health

v      BHPr Strategic Planning

·         The SPCPF maintained representation on the HRSA –BHPr Outcomes Workgroup

·         A SPCPF representative attended and spoke during the BHPr All Grantees Meeting in June 2005

v      AHRQ Steering Committee

·         AHRQ invited the SPCPF to nominate someone to serve on the steering committee for planning A Dialog on the Future of Primary Care, a series of discussion forums in Washington, DC.

·         The SPCPF nominated Kirsten Thomsen, PA-C (Class ’96); she has been appointed to the steering committee.

v      Roundtable Policy Forum

·         Planning continues for a SPCPF sponsored roundtable policy forum – Creating a Healthier America: Prioritizing Health Policies.

·         The SPCPF hosted a planning and discussion session in conjunction with the APHA meeting in November, 2004.

·         The PEW Center for Health Professions has indicated willingness to collaborate as planning continues.

·          Funding being sought from national foundations to support launching of the series.

v      Representation in Various Policy Forums

·         Congressional Black Caucus meetings on health disparities

·         Capitol Hill briefing on Griswold vs. CT legislation pertaining to right for privacy

·         Global Health Council meeting in June 2005

·         Hill Briefing of the National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy

·         Hill visits to legislators from WV in association with NRHA.

·         Hill briefing by National Hispanic Medical Association on Hispanic health disparities

Goal II:          Ensure the Existence of the Fellowship/Society

v      The SPCPF continues to promote the Fellowship through its involvement in national policy forums and coalition activities.

v      SPCPF is hosting reception in honor of 2005 Class and has invited nominating organizations, as well as agency representatives.

v      Informal efforts undertaken by Board members to promote the continued offering of the Fellowship; formal action pending decision of a definitive strategy by the organization.

Goal II: Ensure the Existence of the Fellowship/Society

v      Line item budget

v      Establish an advisory committee

·          Fitzhugh Mullan, MD, Sue Hassmiller, PhD

·          Mary Wakefield in-kind Roundtable Proposal consulting

v      SPCPF provide administration of Fellowship

·          Attempted to provided input

v      Use SPCPF resources/fellows to advocate at HHS

v      Plan a strategy meeting with primary care leaders

·          Roundtable planning in progress

v      Develop support among sponsoring organizations

·          Some fellows made direct contact with organizations to discuss SPCPF

·          Varied financial support by sponsoring organizations this year

v      Complete an outcome analysis of the Fellowship

·          Board discussion of follow-up with HHS

v      Be flexible

v      Increase the role of the Society in design input to the Fellowship curriculum

·          Planning discussions with Lynn Wegman and Jennifer Donovan at HRSA to  have 2004 class join us at annual meeting
and reception

     Other accomplishments for SPCPF

·          Presented to 2004 Fellowship class

·          Reception to be held for class of 2004

·          Plan to attend 2004 graduation

·          Web-site enhanced

·          Held yearly annual meeting