Committee Reports

Membership Committee Report

STFM is a functional family.
STFM energizes, stretches, and challenges us.
STFM promotes innovation.
STFM provides an oasis/refuge.

The above affirmation statements by members of STFM delineate some of the reasons members enjoy being part of STFM. There are a multitude of other reasons. Networking, seeing old friends, stimulating conferences, opportunities for national presentations, innovative solutions to common problems, and identifying as family medicine teachers are other common reasons members continue membership in STFM.

The Membership Committee’s main focus this year has been membership retention and an open inclusion of our osteopathic colleagues. Membership numbers increased slightly this year, which shows the vitality and importance of this organization. Our DO colleagues can now receive DO CME credit for attending our Annual Spring Conference. These are just two results of the committee’s ongoing work.

In the April 2005 issue of the STFM Messenger, Kicki Searfus, MD, and Jeff Morzinski, PhD, MSW, represented the Membership Committee with their article titled “Osteopathic and Allopathic Teachers of Family Medicine: Working Together Through STFM.” This article discussed some of the barriers and opportunities for osteopaths in STFM. Another article co-authored by Membership Committee members titled “Aligning the Interests of Osteopathic and Allopathic Teachers of Medicine” appeared in the March/April 2006 issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.

These tangible results are just a few examples of the ongoing strategies and efforts of the Membership Committee along with STFM officers and staff. We will continue to work with members, staff, and officers to continually improve and expand membership services and value.  

This is my last annual report since my term as committee chair expires at this year’s Annual Spring Conference. I have truly enjoyed and cherished my tenure as chair of this committee and the opportunity to attend Board of Directors meetings. I could not have been successful without the work and dedication of the wonderful members of the Membership Committee and especially Mary Ruhl, membership coordinator. I would like to thank Mary and the committee members—Sim Galazka, MD; Kicki Searfus, MD; Jeff Morzinski, PhD, MSW; Letitia Hazel, MD; Elizabeth Steiner, MD; Charles Henley, DO, MPH; and Karl Miller, MD.

I thank STFM for the opportunity to chair this committee. I thank the members of this committee for their hard work and dedication. I thank the STFM staff for their ongoing excellence and commitment to STFM. I especially thank Mary Ruhl for putting up with me.

Rick Ricer, MD, Chair

Membership Committee

Rick Ricer, MD, Chair
University of Cincinnati

Sim Galazka, MD
University of Virginia

Letitia Hazel, MD
Wake Forest University

Charles Henley, DO, MPH
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa

Karl Miller, MD
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

Jeffrey Morzinski, PhD, MSW
Medical College of Wisconsin

Kirsten Searfus, MD
University of California, San Diego

Elizabeth Steiner, MD
Oregon Health and Science University

STFM Staff Liaison
Mary Ruhl