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For 45 straight football seasons, John Brandon stood on the sideline at Gordo High School, medical bag in hand, watching the Greenwave play. He didn’t miss a game, not one, home or away, for 548 games running. To the players, he was just “Doc,” the guy who taped ankles and checked for concussions. What most…

The Alabama Academy of Family Physicians successfully concluded its 2026 Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium on June 28 at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, bringing together family medicine physicians, residents, and allied health professionals for four days of education, collaboration, and fellowship. Held June 25–28, the meeting delivered 14 hours of CME-accredited education across…

What does the journey to becoming a family physician really look like? In this episode of Amplify Family Medicine, we brought together medical students, a resident, and a practicing family physician for an honest conversation about the path to family medicine — from that first spark of interest, to the challenges of training, to building…

Governor Kay Ivey has appointed Brittney Anderson, MD, FAAFP, to the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) Review Board, which reviews proposed medical facility expansions and healthcare resource allocation across Alabama. Dr. Anderson is a family physician at Anderson Family Care in Demopolis. She currently serves as Vice Speaker of the Medical Association of the State…

Supplemental appropriations bills introduced in the Legislature detail how the state plans to invest the funds awarded to Alabama for Rural Health Transformation. Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program includes 11 initiatives designed to strengthen access to care, expand the rural workforce and modernize healthcare infrastructure in rural communities. Below is a summary of the initiatives…

Governor Kay Ivey has signed several bills into law this session to improve the availability and delivery of healthcare services for all Alabamians. She also signed a bill to encourage people using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to make healthier choices in their food purchases. “In December, I announced Alabama’s participation in a new…

Some people are remembered for their grand pronouncements, others for a single, defining achievement. But for anyone who ever sat in his exam room, the legacy of Dr. Richard Oliver Rutland Jr. began with his eyes. They were kind eyes, the sort that seemed to look past the symptoms on a chart and see the…

The Alabama Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is seeking resident members of its organization to apply for the Stan Brasfield Memorial Scholarship. The family of the late Dr. Brasfield created the scholarship fund to honor his memory. It is to be given annually to a first, second, or third-year resident who meets certain criteria. Dr.…

On our new episode, Dr. Brittney Anderson and Dr. Jonathan D. Parker tackle the hype around new weight-loss medications. They discuss the real story behind Alabama’s obesity epidemic, why a holistic approach is non-negotiable, and how family doctors are helping patients overcome barriers to build lasting health.

The Alabama Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA) held a collaborative dinner meeting with the House of Representatives Rural Caucus Steering Committee on February 3, 2026. The productive evening, also attended by members of House committee…