SPCPF

July 2006

Members of the Society of Primary Care Policy Fellows,

Primary care is the heart and soul of the health care system in this country.  Although the heart may be ailing in our current collapsing system, the soul of primary care continues to evolve and strengthen.  The Society of Primary Care Policy Fellows (SPCPF) perpetuates our Mission “to affect primary care policy, education, research, and service at the local, state, national, and international levels.”  We are indeed part of the soul of primary care. 

The heart of primary care was injured last year when HRSA cancelled the Primary Health Care Policy Fellowship due to cost issues.  The SPCPF Board immediately deliberated on strategies to re-establish the Fellowship and, at a special meeting in March of this year, we established the objective of creating a Primary Health Care Policy Fellowship for the 21^st Century.  We have received strong support for this initiative:

·        An informal survey of Fellowship-nominating organizations determined there was uniform support for the re-establishment of the Fellowship.  Some organizations may be willing to provide financial support to this endeavor. 

·        Carolyn Clancy, Director AHQR and Helen Burstin, Director, Center for Primary Care Research AHQR, support the re-establishment of the Fellowship. 

·        Fitzhugh Mullins emphasized that the Society is the best positioned group to lead this initiative.  If we do not respond to the call, the future of the Fellowship we will remain uncertain.

At this critical time for the future of the Fellowship, please reflect on what this program means to you.  I believe the Fellowship is important for providing desperately needed future leaders in primary care.  I ask that you continue to support and participate in the activities of the Society of Primary Care Policy Fellows as we work to re-establish the Fellowship.  In addition to this effort, other activities and events are being planned and will be announced shortly.  Please help us with your dues dollars and let us know if you are able to take an active role in the work of the Society.   We welcome your assistance.

Sincerely,

Gary A. Colangelo, DDS

President, 2006-2007

Affecting primary care policy, education, research, and service
at the local, state, national, and international levels.