Glen Stream Article

WAFP’s Glen Stream, MD, FAAFP, MBI Spokane is candidate for AAFP 2007 Board of Directors

Washington Academy of Family Physicians member and past president Glen R. Stream, MD, FAAFP, MBI Spokane, is a candidate for the AAFP Board of Directors in 2007. Dr. Stream announced his candidacy at the AAFP Congress of Delegates in late September 2006 in Washington, DC. The election will be held in September 2007 for a three-year term in office.

Dr. Stream’s personal statement articulates many of his ideas and aspirations for the future of family medicine and the important work that AAFP contributes. According to Dr. Stream:

Family physician is not what I do, it is who I am. Participating in the AAFP COD and the Commission for Governmental Advocacy has left me thoroughly impressed with the skills, knowledge, and passion of our members and staff. I’ve been infected by this passion and the desire to serve our Academy, which is why I have chosen to be a candidate for your Board of Directors.

I believe we are approaching a tipping point for family medicine in the American healthcare system. The challenges of rising costs and the demand for high quality, integrated, and compassionate care can only be met by increasing the numbers and recognizing the value of family physicians. The formula for success includes not only dedication and passion, but also knowledge and experience in the areas where solutions are to be found, as well as the ability to communicate and connect with others working to improve family medicine.

We should all be grateful for the visionary work of the Future of Family Medicine task force. I firmly believe in the New Model of care. It will take a concerted effort to achieve this vision. Our academy has always been the leader in this transformation.

In June 2007 I will complete a master’s degree in biomedical informatics, focusing on ambulatory clinical IT including EHRs. As described in the New Model and the IOM Crossing the Chasm report, ambulatory clinical information technology is one of the keys to improving the efficiency and safety of our health care system. This knowledge, combined with the experience of leading the EHR implementation in my medical group will be a key strength for me on the Board.

As a member of your board I will dedicate my energy to:

Advocating for payment reform which fairly compensates family physicians and assures the viability of our practices.
Supporting health system reform which assures access for all to preventive services as well as basic care for acute and chronic illness.
Promoting the concept of the medical home including recognition of its importance and adequate supporting payment.
Assisting our members in transitioning to the New Model.
Cultivating a medical education system which nurtures interest in family medicine.
Establishing family physicians as the experts in ambulatory information technology including EHRs.
Continuing to promote the health of the public through programs such as Tar Wars and AIM.

I am eager to tackle the issues facing our profession as a member of the AAFP Board. I would welcome your input, and look forward to the opportunity to speak with fellow family physicians on these and other issues of concern to family medicine.

For more information about Glen Stream’s candidacy, visit the AAFP candidate website at http://members.aafp.org/members/congress/candidates/x2818.html or his personal website at www.glenstream-aafp2007.org.

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WAFP’s Glen Stream, MD, FAAFP, MBI Spokane is candidate for AAFP 2007 Board of Directors

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