Board Reports

Executive Director's Report

Roger Sherwood, CAE

In preparation for writing what will be my last annual report as STFM executive director, I thought it might be interesting to look through the annual reports from the last 25 years. It was a fascinating review and an exercise in nostalgia.

I was particularly captivated by the pictures of STFM members over the years, as I count many of the people in the pictures among my good friends today. I reflected back over the 25 presidents I had served under and fondly remembered experiences with those committed individuals. I was reminded by the 1993–1994 Board that all three members-at-large of the Board that year, Betsy Garrett, MD, MSPH; Joseph Hobbs, MD, and Carlos Moreno, MD, MSPH, subsequently served as STFM presidents.

There were also some milestones I marked through the years. When I came to STFM in 1981, our budget was $515,000. Today it is $2.3 million. There were 2,300 members, and today there are 4,800. Other milestones included the benefit concert presented by Board members at the 1990 Annual Spring Conference in Seattle to raise money for a Seattle homeless shelter. Our government relations operation started in 1991, when Hope Wittenberg joined the staff. A particularly captivating photo was the Board in tuxedos and gowns during the 1992 25th anniversary celebration.

One of the hallmarks and success stories of STFM has been its special interest groups. The concept started with Marian Bishop’s vision back in 1981, and today we have 40 such groups. Groups come and go based on member interest and effective leadership. Some of the earlier groups reflect the times and focused on issues like school health, use of psychological inventories, medical records, nuclear issues, Balint training, substance abuse, etc. It has been a joy to observe and work with the leaders of these STFM groups through the years.

I am pleased that the 2006–2007 year has been very positive for the Society. We finally turned the corner on finances, and finished 2006 in the black, recovering from 6 years of deficits. Membership turned around in 2006, and our meetings provided record revenue. Advertising income from Family Medicine reached an all-time high. We are engaged in many important initiatives, including our FFM Special Task Force, the Program Directors Development Institute, FMDRL, and expanded educational offerings. It feels good to end my last full year on such a positive note.

My 25 plus years as executive director of STFM has been a wonderful journey. I’ve been blessed to work with the best and the brightest, both on the STFM staff and the volunteer ranks. I’ve been impressed over the years by the visionary zeal of our family medicine educators and amazed at all we have accomplished together. To all of you I’d like to say, thank you for including me as one of you. As I talk with my association executive director colleagues, I’m reminded again and again how blessed I’ve been to have been a part of such a wonderful organization. I will miss the daily encounters I’ve had with you through STFM but will forever treasure the experiences and the relationships.