Happy October to My Fellow Maryland Family Physicians!

I may be a little biased, but October is one of my favorites, and happiest, months of the year, and I would love to share why! What more could we ask for? The crisp autumn air, Maryland’s beautiful foliage, the excitement of football season—which is certainly a happy reason in my family—and the many traditions and festivities that make this season so special.

And, of course, I would be remiss not to mention one more reason October is especially meaningful to me: it is your President’s birthday month! So perhaps that makes October just a little more special in my book.

Fall also offers us a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with one another and restart our Family Medicine physician gatherings across Maryland.

Family Medicine has always been grounded in connection—as family physicians, we spend so much of our time caring for others, creating and strengthening connections with our patients, our families, our communities. At a time when the demands of medical practice continue to evolve, it is increasingly important that we pause and create meaningful opportunities to connect, share experiences, and support one another. We mean to welcome our new colleagues and strengthen our Family Medicine community as well.

Our Academy sees these gatherings as an opportunity to provide engagement of family physicians at every stage of their careers. They can help strengthen mentorship, welcome new members, connect practicing physicians with residents and medical students, and encourage collaboration across different practice settings.

Most importantly, our Family Medicine gatherings should reflect who we are as Family Medicine physicians: collegial, inclusive, collaborative, and committed to one another and to the communities we serve. I hope that each of us will embrace this opportunity to strengthen the connections within our profession. Our organization is at its best when our members feel connected, heard, and supported—not only at our larger meetings, but throughout the year and across the regions in which we live and practice.

I invite you to engage with our Well-Being Committee and share your ideas for fostering connection, camaraderie, and professional well-being. Your voice can help shape our committee and future gatherings that our organization offers. You do not need to have all the answers or a fully developed plan. Bring your ideas, your enthusiasm, and your willingness to connect our Family Physicians across Maryland. Together, we can create gatherings and activities that reflect what our members value and need.

Our Academy is strongest when our members are connected and engaged. Let us make this a year of coming together—across regions, across generations, and across practice settings—to strengthen the Family Medicine community we are privileged to serve.

Let’s make this fall a season of reconnecting—not only with the beauty and traditions around us, but also with our colleagues and our Family Medicine community.

Wishing you and your families a happy, healthy, and wonderful October!

Sincerely,

Gattu Panisri Rao, MD, MPH, FAAFP 

Your MDAFP President