STFM Forms Behavioral Health Scope of Practice Task Force

See the list of task force members and learn about the group's objective and schedule.

October 21, 2026—STFM has formed a new task force to develop behavioral health scope of practice recommendations for family physicians. The task force will define a standard for behavioral health care within the specialty of family medicine.The task force includes 14 members, with Meredith Williamson, PhD, of Texas A&M Family Medicine Residency, serving as chair."It has long been recognized that behavioral health is central to the practice of family medicine," Dr Williamson says. "However, there are no defined scope of practice recommendations for behavioral health practice in family medicine to guide residency training."Below are the other task force members:

  • Katherine Bergs, PhD, LMFT, JPS Health Network
  • Claire K. Bogan, DO, Lawrence Family Medicine Residency
  • Ronald G. Chambers, MD, MBA, Dignity Health Methodist Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program
  • Katherine (Katie) Fortenberry, PhD, University of Utah
  • Christopher Haymaker, PhD, Western Michigan University
  • Jordan Howard-Young, MD, Family Health Center of Worcester/University of Massachusetts
  • Jesse Kao, MD, MFT, UCLA Family Medicine Residency
  • Ryan Laschober, MD, Waco Family Medicine Center
  • Linda Myerholtz, PhD, University of North Carolina
  • Lauren Penwell, PhD, Novant Health (Family Medicine Residency Program)
  • Zachary Reece Sartor, MD, MPH, Waco Family Medicine Center
  • Neil M. Siegel, MD, University of Maryland
  • Mary Theobald, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine

Objectives of the Behavioral Health Scope of Practice Task Force

The task force’s objectives include:

  • Informing STFM initiatives for behavioral health education
  • Informing future ACGME program requirements
  • Informing updates to the AAFP Recommended Curriculum Guidelines for Behavioral Health and Professional Well-Being
  • Helping residency programs create and implement curriculum that allows them to graduate residents who demonstrate competence in behavioral health care
  • Strengthening behavioral health care provided by family physicians to serve their communities across America

Specifically, the task force will:

  • Host a Family Physician Behavioral Health Scope of Practice Summit to develop initial consensus on scope of clinical competency for behavioral health in family medicine
  • Develop and conduct a Delphi Study
  • Draft recommendations based on the results of the Delphi study
  • Open the draft recommendations for comments from members of family medicine organizations
  • Refine recommendations and request endorsement from the family medicine organizations
  • Publish and disseminate the Behavioral Health Scope of Practice Recommendations for Family Physicians through publications and presentations
  • Work with national organizations to update residency programs, curriculum, and competency guidelines

The task force will be active from September 2026–August 2028.

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Events

October 30, 2026, 2 pm eastern: Webinar: "Mind Matters: Integrating Cognitive Health Care and Prevention in Family Medicine"

November 4, 2026, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "At the Deep End: How Family Physicians Can Build Connection, Community, and Change"

November 12, 2026, 12:30 pm eastern: Webinar: "Building Your Legacy: 8 Smart Estate Planning Strategies to Protect Family and Preserve Wealth"

December 2, 2026, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "The Adaptive Coach: The Core Principles Behind Effective Coaching"

January 13, 2027, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "The Present Coach: Listening and Silence for Learning"

February 3, 2027, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "The Curious Coach: Powerful Questions and Reframing for Insight"

February 5–7, 2027: STFM Conference on Medical Student Education

March 10, 2027, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "The Disciplined Coach: Taming the Advice Monster and Guiding Growth"

April 7, 2027, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "The Collaborative Coach: Co-Creating Goals and Growth Plans"

May 1–5, 2027: STFM Annual Spring Conference

Deadlines

October 27, 2026: Apply for STFM Faculty for Tomorrow Resident Scholarship

November 2, 2026: Apply for Funding From STFM Project Fund

November 8, 2026: Nominations for Curtis G. Hames Research Award

November 8, 2026: Nominations for STFM Research Paper of the Year Award

November 8, 2026: Apply for AI Centers of Excellence Recognition Program

November 14, 2026: Apply for STFM Emerging Leaders Fellowship

January 13, 2027: Apply for POCUS Educator's Certificate Program

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