The Alabama Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) held its 2024 Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium from June 20 to June 23 at the beautiful Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. This year’s event was a testament to the vibrant community of family physicians, medical students, residents, and healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing family medicine in Alabama.

The symposium attracted more than 200 physician attendees and 45 medical students, a clear indication of the growing interest and commitment within the family medicine community. Additionally, 70 exhibitors showcased their latest services, technologies, and resources, contributing to an engaging and informative experience for all participants.

Dr. Anderson’s academic foundation is robust, with a B.S. in Psychology from Duke University, a Master’s in Rural and Community Health from The University of Alabama, and an M.D. from the University of Alabama School of Medicine (UAB). She completed her Family Medicine Residency at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, and furthered her commitment to health equity through an American Academy of Family Physicians Health Equity Fellowship.

Her commitment extends beyond medical practice into impactful community service and professional development, as evidenced by her participation in professional societies, boards, and advisory committees. Notably, she serves on the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce, VOICES for Alabama’s Children, and has been actively involved in addressing health workforce challenges and promoting medical education.

Dr. Anderson’s international experiences in Ghana and Jamaica, along with her scholarly contributions, further highlight her global perspective on healthcare challenges and solutions. Her efforts aim not only at providing excellent medical care but also at improving the system for future generations, particularly within underserved populations.

She is a testament to the impact a dedicated physician can have on their community and beyond, influencing both immediate health outcomes and broader systemic change.

“I’m excited and optimistic about this upcoming year and the future of family medicine in Alabama,” said Dr. Anderson. “The specialty of family medicine is essential to the health of our state and, in addition to advocating for positive policy changes that affect our specialty, I am committed to motivating youth, medical students, residents, and practicing family physicians to get excited about the opportunities within family medicine.”

The Annual Student Chapter Meeting, another integral part of the event, saw the election of Ryleigh Randall as the Student Chapter President. Randall, known for her dedication and leadership in the medical student community, is expected to bring fresh ideas and energy to the chapter, fostering growth and opportunities for medical students across the state. Randall is an aspiring physician, currently pursuing her medical degree at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine with an expected graduation date of May 2025. Before her journey into medicine, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Laboratory Science.

During her time at Auburn University, Randall demonstrated her expertise as a Laboratory/Phlebotomy Assistant at the university’s medical clinic, where she honed her skills in patient sample collection and analysis, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, she worked as a Laboratory Analyst at Environmental Resource Analysts, gaining experience in biochemical analyses and toxicity testing.

Her dedication to medical research is evident through her involvement with the University of South Alabama’s Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, where she engaged in significant research on brain pericyte dysfunction. Her research has been presented at multiple conferences and has resulted in both first-author and co-authored publications.

A recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, Randall’s academic excellence and research capabilities have been continuously recognized. Notably, she received the Clyde G. Huggins Award at the 49th Medical Student Research Program and has been honored with scholarships for her academic and leadership qualities, such as the Taylor-Davis Scholarship and the Family Medicine Leads Scholarship from the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Randall is also active within the medical school community, participating in several organizations including the Family Medicine Interest Group and the Pathology Interest Group. She balances her academic career with a commitment to volunteerism, facilitating support groups for LGBTQIA+ youth and tutoring refugees in conversational English.

“I am humbled and extremely honored to have been chosen by my peers for this role. I am excited to work on expanding opportunities to inspire and equip the next generation of family medicine physicians in Alabama,” said Randall.

This year’s educational program was exceptional, developed and presented by our Family Medicine Residency Programs. The program covered a wide range of topics relevant to the current challenges and advancements in family medicine.

Through engaging sessions and workshops, attendees were provided with valuable insights and practical tools to enhance their practice and patient care.

The Academy would like to thank the following speakers for their time and expertise…

Jamie Bishop, DO
Brandy Boone, JD
Kimie Buley
Chase Cawyer, MD
Steve Furr, MD, FAAFP
Michael Goodlett, MD
Jerry Harrison, MD, FAAFP
Chris Hope, MD
Beverly Jordan, MD, FAAFP
Austin Luker, MD
Jeffrey Metts, MD
Suzanne Powell
Richard Rosenthal, MD
Angela Seasely, MD
Wes Stubblefield, MD
Melissa Thompson, MD
Tom Weida, MD, FAAFP

The success of the Symposium could not have been achieved without the support and participation of every attendee and exhibitor. The spirit of collaboration and dedication to improving the health of families in Alabama was evident throughout the event.

As we reflect on this year’s symposium, we are filled with gratitude for the community that came together to make it a memorable and impactful gathering. We look forward to building on the momentum created this year and to the continued growth and success of family medicine in Alabama. Let’s continue to work together towards a healthier future for all Alabamians.