About Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians

The Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians exists to promote, support and serve our members as they strive to improve the health of all Nebraskans.

The Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians (NAFP), represents Family Physicians in Nebraska with more than 1,200 members-- from medical students to doctors who have retired. The NAFP is a constituent chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) which has more than 100,300 members. Family physicians offer the largest single primary care specialty in the state. They practice in all sizes of communities throughout Nebraska. Because of their training, family physicians can care for approximately 90 percent of the problems their patients present to them.

The Academy is the untiring advocate of the Family Physician, the medical specialty of family medicine, and the people of Nebraska. It promotes excellence in health care and the betterment of the health of the people of Nebraska. The Academy assumes this challenge because it recognizes that a healthy people are the Academy's highest responsibility.

The Academy believes in access to quality cost-effective care for all Nebraskans. The Academy strives to provide responsible advocacy for and education of patients and the public in all health-related matters. Family Physicians along with other primary care specialties are leaders in providing the patient centered medical home concept. The Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians encourages the provision of quality, innovative education for practicing physicians, residents, and medical students that embodies the art and science of medicine. 

Family Physicians are trained through medical schools and a three-year family medicine residency program. The majority of practicing Family Physicians keep up with certification from the American Board of Family Medicine, which means they must pass a test every 10 years and average at least 50 hours of continuing medical education each year.

History

The Nebraska Academy of General Practice was chartered on April 30, 1948. Its officers were Dr. Paul S. Reed of Omaha, president; Dr. Harry W. Benson of Oakland, vice-president and Dr. Esther I. McEachen of Omaha, secretary-treasurer. Dr. Bernard V. Kenney of Omaha and Dr. Harry W. Benson were the state's delegates.

Nearly three hundred enthusiastic general practitioners were present at a meeting of the Nebraska chapter in Omaha on October 24, 1948. National President Paul A. Davis addressed the banquet. Among the distinguished guests present were the deans of Creighton University Medical School and The Nebraska Medical School.

Dr. R. B. Robins, Speaker of the Congress of Delegates, addressed the annual meetings of the Nebraska and Kansas chapters in 1949. New officers were elected at both of sessions. At the Nebraska meeting, Dr. H. W. Benson of Oakland was elected president and Dr. Bernard V. Kenney of Omaha, vice-president. Dr. Benson and Dr. Paul S. Read, immediate past-president of the Nebraska chapter, were the speakers at the May 24, 1949 meeting at the Omaha-Douglas County Medical Society. Doctor Reed discussed the aims, purposes and organization of the Academy and Doctor Benson spoke on the hospital and education plans. Such addresses at county medical society meetings were considered by the American Academy to be most helpful publicity in connection with membership drives.

The Nebraska chapter held a meeting in Omaha on October 28, 1949. Following a talk by Dr. William J. Shaw, president of the Missouri chapter, a business meeting was held. Such a meeting provides excellent ground for the exchange of ideas between chapters.

The Nebraska delegates to the 1950 American Assembly Congress of Delegates were:

Carl C. Amiek, MD, Loup City; Adin H. Webb, MD, Lincoln. The alternates were William J. Shaw, MD, Fayette and Harlan E. Moore, MD, Sutherland.

On May 4th, 1950, the 3rd annual assembly of the Nebraska chapter was held at the Hotel Cornhusker in Lincoln. During this meeting, the Nebraska chapter elected Hardy D. Runty, MD, president-elect. Mr. Mac F. Cahal, executive secretary of the American Academy of General Practice, was a speaker on the program. The Nebraska chapter also held a one-day scientific meeting on September 20, 1950 in Lincoln. Dr. H. D. Runty, president-elect welcomed attending physicians. At that time, the chapter was planning a membership drive.

Archival information provided by: AAFP Archives for Family Practice, Angela D. Curran, Archivist, General Practice News, 1949-1950.