This is my final President’s message as I conclude my tenure leading this incredible and vibrant organization. It has been a profound honor to have your confidence and to represent Maryland family physicians both within our state and nationally.

While my term is ending, my commitment to the MDAFP is not. In late February, I will transition into the role of Board Chair. I look forward to continuing my work with our various committees—particularly the Governmental Advocacy Committee—as we represent our members in critical state discussions regarding primary care reimbursement and payment reform.

Protecting the Standard of Care: We are currently in the midst of the Maryland Legislative session, and we are facing significant challenges regarding scope of practice. We are monitoring several bills that would grant Naturopaths, Psychologists, and Pharmacists the authority to diagnose and treat conditions with prescription medications.

As board-certified, residency-trained family physicians, we understand the immense complexity involved in medical diagnosis and the rigorous training required to manage prescription medications judiciously. Our ethical obligation is two-fold: to provide high-quality care to our patients and to protect them from the risks of misdiagnosis or improper treatment by those without equivalent medical training.

A physician-led healthcare team remains the gold standard for comprehensive patient care. While we respect the specialized training of our healthcare colleagues, a certificate course—or in some cases, no additional training at all—is simply not a substitute for the depth of a medical education and specialty training.

Call to Action: Please stay vigilant for legislative alerts in the coming weeks. We need your voice to ensure that Maryland patients continue to receive the safest, most effective care possible.

Finally, I am thrilled to announce the upcoming induction of our next President, Dr. Gattu Pani Rao. Having worked alongside Dr. Rao for several years on the MDAFP Board, I know her to be an accomplished physician and an inspiring leader. I look forward to the progress our Academy will make under her guidance.

Thank you for your tireless work and for your unwavering support of the MDAFP

Sincerely,

Amar Duggirala, DO, MPH, FAAFP

Your MDAFP President