On July 1, 2022, Alex Vosooney, MD, became president of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP). Her term runs through June 30, 2023.
Vosooney has been practicing family medicine for about a decade and serves as the lead physician at Allina Health West St. Paul Clinic.
She has held a variety of leadership roles in her clinic and via the MAFP and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), including serving as:
- Past President, MAFP East Metro Chapter
- Past Speaker, MAFP House of Delegates
- Past President-Elect, MAFP Board of Directors
- Alternate Delegate, AAFP Congress of Delegates
- Chair, AAFP Commission on Health of the Public and Science
Vosooney is an alumnus of the Medical College of Wisconsin and United Family Medicine Residency.
She is passionate about championing evidence-based care and doing so in a manner that is patient-centered and equitable.
We asked President Vosooney to share about her vision for her term as president, where she sees the MAFP has room to grow and how members can get more engaged in the work of the Academy.
Why did you choose family medicine for your specialty?
I enjoyed almost every rotation in medical school, but I always wanted to know what happened next for the patient. The variety of topics that family medicine covers and the longitudinal relationship that you have with patients are what drew me to—and keep me interested in—family medicine.
How do you think the MAFP is of value to Minnesota family physicians?
The MAFP advocates for our specialty and family physicians, both within our state and in Washington, DC; fosters connections among family physicians around Minnesota; supports medical students and family medicine residents during their training; and provides family physicians with topical continuing medical education.
Where do you think the MAFP has room to grow?
We need to continue to bring together members from all over the state to discuss their views on family medicine education, practice issues and advocacy topics.
What are the current challenges facing family medicine?
Some challenges are ones that we’ve faced before:
- Decreasing administrative burden.
- Maintaining the ability to practice the full scope of family medicine.
- Building a rural health workforce.
We also need to ensure that family physicians are receiving fair compensation and resources, as more insurers and health groups switch to value-based care.
What is your vision for your time as MAFP President?
I plan to continue the advocacy work started by other state chapters on primary care spend initiatives. Increasing investment in primary care decreases overall costs to the system.
I also want to visit with members throughout the state. The pandemic limited our ability to gather, exchange ideas and connect on the issues we are facing as family physicians. Creating and renewing connections among our members is very important to me.
Why (and how) should members get engaged in the Academy?
Working through the Academy (or MAFP) can help a member advocate for themselves, their profession and their patients. Whether it’s testifying at the legislature, writing letters to the editor, speaking about resolutions at the MAFP House of Delegates or creating educational content, there is a way to work with the MAFP, no matter how much (or how little) time you have to give.
Email office@mafp.org to get connected.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I love to read! If you’ve read something recently that you’ve enjoyed, please let me know. You can email me at president@mafp.org. I’m always on the hunt for new material!
The MAFP is governed by an 18-member board of directors, which meets quarterly. Directors and officers are elected annually at our House of Delegates, the policy-setting body of the Academy. Read a recap of our 2022 House of Delegates meeting.