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Patten Maine Family Physician Appointed to

AAFP Commission  

• Ronald Blum MD, has been appointed to serve as a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Commission on Education for a 4-year term beginning December 15, 2011.

  The Commission on Education is one of seven commissions that direct AAFP policies and programs. This commission provides a venue for the development of recommended policy and the dissemination of expertise and new information related to the education and professional development of family physicians until completion of the residency training period. Its priority areas of attention include: Workforce- support the “pipeline” of family physician development, from student interest in family medicine careers to family physician workforce policy. Curriculum - Promote the evolution of the training curriculum for family medicine to meet the needs of the future, and support for the infrastructure to provide it, as well as a variety of activities to promote and support Student interest in the specialty.

  Dr Blum has served on the Board of Directors of the MAFP for many years.  He has served as Chapter Vice-President and President and as both an Alternate and Delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates (he is currently a Delegate).  Dr. Blum is the Key Contact for one of Maine’s two representatives, and has visited our senators and representatives in their Washington offices on multiple occasions for the AAFP, including Tar Wars, when he served as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board, as well as for other issues and causes.  He serves in several volunteer government roles as the Public Health Officer for Northern Maine and Town Health Officer for the towns of Patten and Crystal, Maine.  He has served as Chairman of the Regional Health Planning Agency for Northern Maine, Chairman of the Facilities Siting Board for the Maine Waste Management Agency (a gubernatorial appointment) and as Chairman of the Aroostook County Smoking Project.  Dr. Blum has worked with our state legislators on a variety of issues over the years, testified before the Maine legislature, and lobbied with the Maine Medical Association.
  
  Dr. Blum recently served a term as a member of the AAFP Commission of the Health of the Public and Science and on several Reference Committees for the Congress of Delegates. 
  
  As a solo practicing private physician in a rural community he brings a unique and relevant perspective to issues of health systems, the impact of public policy and regulation, and workforce requirements.
  
  Congratulations to Dr. Blum on your appointment!