My journey with the Academy began nearly thirteen years ago. Having recently moved here to be with my husband, I was eager to join our chapter as a newly minted attending physician. After completing my membership, I remember eagerly searching for my name in the first Academy publication I received—a small but meaningful moment that signaled my sense of belonging.

Months later, I attended my first conference, where I had the privilege of meeting our esteemed AAFP President-Elect, Dr. Kisha Davis, who warmly greeted and welcomed me to my first Academy event. From that moment forward, the rest, as they say, is history.

We are living in extraordinary and challenging times—not only as family physicians, but as human beings. We are parents, children, and caregivers in our personal lives, while simultaneously caring for our patients and communities. Recent events and tragedies have profoundly impacted our health care system, our colleagues, and the foundations of prevention upon which our work rests. Through it all, we have learned the importance of leaning on one another—for support, for advocacy, and for strength. These moments have reminded us that even in uncertainty, we must remain empowered as physicians.

Today, I stand before you inspired—by our past leaders, our current leaders, and those who will guide the future of family medicine.

We are practicing in an era defined by scope-of-practice debates and mounting challenges to primary care and family medicine. These times are undeniably difficult and markedly different from those of the past. Yet if there is any group uniquely prepared to adapt and remain resilient, it is family physicians. We stand on the front lines of care. We are essential. We care for generations of families across lifetimes.

As we work to improve access to care, we face challenges from other organizations regarding prescriptive and practice authority here in the state of Maryland. These realities demand our continued vigilance. We must remain united, informed, and steadfast in our advocacy.

At the heart of our work is a simple truth: we protect our colleagues, our loved ones, and our communities.

One meaningful step forward has been our state’s selection for the Rural Transformation Project—a small but honorable win. It is now our responsibility to ensure this opportunity translates into real and lasting impact for our patients and the communities we serve.

We also look ahead to ongoing and emerging opportunities, including primary care investment initiatives and efforts to recruit and strengthen our family medicine workforce. The recent opening of Meritus School of Medicine, alongside the outstanding work of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, its Family Medicine Residency, and affiliated programs, represents a promising path forward for our profession.

Our Public Health Work Group has worked diligently alongside our county health officers to strengthen and sustain a vital partnership between physicians and their respective health departments. Through this collaboration, we are ensuring improved access to essential resources for our patients and community members.

We have convened the first of many MACHO meetings, marking an important step forward in streamlining public health resources and reinforcing our shared commitment to the well-being of those we serve.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” His words remind us that while society often pursues material success, true wealth lies in health and well-being—both for our patients and for ourselves.

In that spirit, the Well-Being Committee represents one of our most important recent initiatives. We are committed to placing a continued emphasis on your well-being. Through social gatherings, quarterly events for physicians and their families, and the development of a robust mentorship program, we aim to strengthen our chapter community. After all, it is never too late to be mentored. We care about you—regardless of where you are in your career journey.

As we embark on this new year, with new leadership and the next phase of our collective journey, I ask you to support the future of family medicine and primary care in whatever ways you are able. Our chapter offers many opportunities for engagement, leadership, and service—and your voice matters.

There are many expressions of gratitude I wish to share this afternoon.

I would first like to thank my family, who are unable to be here today. My husband, whose unwavering support has been essential throughout this journey, is accompanying our daughter as she competes in National History Day for our county. She is presenting on the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the enduring work and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—a powerful reminder of the values of justice, advocacy, and service that continue to guide both our profession and our society.

I am deeply grateful to my daughter and son for their understanding of how meaningful my work at the Academy has been. They have grown alongside this journey and, at times, have even shared in it, reminding me daily of the importance of purpose and balance.

I wish to thank my parents as well, who shaped my understanding of service, perseverance, and leadership from an early age. I was raised by immigrant parents and inspired by my late father, who answered the call to serve as a physician in the United States. He understood that medicine demands more than clinical excellence—it requires leadership and advocacy on behalf of patients and the communities we serve. My mother, through the many roles she carried throughout my life—wife, parent, homemaker, accountant, secretary, and countless others—modeled dedication, adaptability, and quiet strength. Together, they instilled in me the values that continue to guide my work in medicine and my service to this Academy.

Finally, I extend my sincere appreciation to the many physician leaders and mentors the Academy has shared with me along this journey. Their guidance, generosity, and commitment to excellence have shaped my growth and made this experience profoundly meaningful.

I would like to close with the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., spoken in 1966: “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane.” These words remain as urgent today as they were then, and they continue to guide our shared mission.

Thank you for your commitment, your leadership, and your unwavering dedication to family medicine

Sincerely,

Gattu Panisri Rao, MD, MPH, FAAFP 

Your MDAFP President