The Washington Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (formerly Family Health Foundation of Washington) was authorized by the 1982 House of Delegates of the Washington Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP) as its philanthropic arm.

The primary concern of the WAFP Foundation is advancing the practice of Family Medicine and funding worthy projects that ultimately benefit the patients served by family physicians of the state of Washington. The Foundation was initiated on the belief that Family Practice offers a specialty career that is fulfilling and enriched by the profound impact it has on the lives of both patient and practitioner. We further believe the specialty provides patients with health care that is comprehensive.

Goals

The goals of the WAFP Foundation are to:

• Increase the supply of family physicians and influence their distribution to meet the need for the availability of their services
• Advance research specific to the nature of the family practice specialty
• Promote changes through educational activities for both family physicians and their patients
• Foster leadership in health promotion, disease prevention and medical problem solving designed to optimize the lives of thoes for whom we care

Organization

The Board of Directors of the WAFP Foundation sets policy and gives approval for funding grants for projects that meet the objectives and priorities of the Foundation.

Accountability for the decisions to allocate Foundation resources is to the Foundation membership and the greater community of the state of Washington.

The WAFP Foundation is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and is thereby able to receive tax deductible contributions.

Focus

WAFP Foundation strives to:

• Increase medical student awareness of rural medicine through support of summer clerkships
  Promote family practice oriented research
• Develop and support continuing medical education programs designed specifically toward family physicians
• Sponsor public education to promote healthy lifestyles and preventive medicine practices
  Promote physician and patient well being in the era of health care reform

Activities

Included in WAFP Foundation’s recent accomplishments:

• Founded the Family Medicine Research Fund
• Funded rural medicine summer clerkships - 170 students since 1989
• Donated more than $200,000 to the UW Dr. Theodore J. Phillips Endowed Professorship to Family Medicine
• Provided for student summer research scholarships
• Participated in AAFP’s Resident Repayment Program with a $10,000 contribution to help defray the cost of resident loan interest
• Supported preventive medicine programs aimed at life-style related decisions, e.g. WSMA Auxiliary’s teen health forum, "Choice, not Chance"
• Presented Dr. Bill Mead Lectures in Family Medicine
• Supported WAFP Pipeline Committee through grants to Eastern and Western Washington Area Health Education Centers
• Administered the Dr. Roy Virak Memorial Resident Scholarship Fund
• Established endowment funds through The Seattle Foundation to ensure continuation of rural health, Dr. Bill Mead Lecture, and Dr. Roy Virak scholarship activities.

We are proud of our success in raising funds pledged to help establish the Theodore J. Phillips Endowed Professorship in Family Medicine.  The enthusiastic spirit of giving of our membership made possible early accomplishment, and donations beyond the $150,000 goal, which were contributed to the Professorship as well.  We express our appreciation to Glaxo Wellcome for its generosity in providing grants for special projects.  Washington Academy of Family Physicians members may apply to the Foundation for grants to support medical education, rural medicine, research, and other projects that enhance family medicine.  Grant application deadlines are January 1st and July 1st each year.  Call the WAFP Foundation at 1-800-621-8424 to obtain guidelines and an application form.

2006-2007 WAFP Foundation Board of Directors

Officers:

President: Nancy L. Foote, MD (2008)
Vice-President: Kevin F. Murray, MD (2008)
Secretary: John Bennett Coombs, MD (2007)
Treasurer: Thomas E. Norris, MD (2007)
Asst. Sec./Treas: Glen Stream, MD (2008)

Directors:

Thomas J. Osten, MD (2007)
James "Luke" Olson, MD (2007)
William G. Marsh, MD (2008)
John F. McCarthy, MD  (2007)  
John Anderson, MD (2007)
Vicki Black, MD (2008)
Michael R. Bell, CPA (2008)

Executive Vice President:

Karla Graue Pratt

The WAFP Foundation can accept funds directed by a will or trust.