Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in Family Medicine (CDEI-FM)

The Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness (CDEI-FM) leverages diversity, equity, inclusiveness and antiracism lenses to inform and guide the Academy’s recommendations, policies and work addressing disparities in care, health and workforce. The goals of the commission are to inform, develop, promote and evaluate recommendations, policies and procedures that promote health equity, reduce health disparities and foster inclusive person-centered care across a wide range of topics including but not limited to:

• Underrepresented in Medicine (URIM)
• Gender
• LGBTQ+
• Ability (including physician ability)
• Workforce Diversity
• Health Equity / Social Justice
• Anti-racism in medicine

The CDEI-FM members serve as liaisons to other AAFP commissions and as a collaborative partner with AAFP’s Center for Diversity & Health Equity on appropriate projects such as The Everyone Project™. CDEI-FM does not have subcommittees at this time but implements ad-hoc working groups as needed to address AAFP resolutions.

Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of CDEI-FM members to:

• Attend meetings
  • Two meetings per year of up to 3.5 days duration
  • Participate in virtual meetings, as needed
  • Prepare for meetings by reading agenda materials and studying issues
  • Lead discussions on pre-assigned agenda topics
  • Listen and contribute meaningfully and respectfully during meetings
• Serve on other commissions as active liaisons and provide updates to the CDEI-FM on behalf of other commissions
• Complete commission work between meetings
  • Participate in email and/or conference call discussions
  • Meet agreed-upon deadlines for assignments
• Respond to listserv and other electronic communications in a timely manner
• Participate in cross-commission committees, and working groups, as needed
• Provide expertise and experience in the scope of work subject matter
• Complete a Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement annually.

CDEI-FM provides oversight of a member interest group (MIG) listed below.  The MIG can bring forward recommendations for consideration by CDEI-FM. 

• Intersectionality in Health Care MIG

Commission Service Overview

Members of the CDEI-FM meet twice each year (January/February and May/June, with meeting months varying each year), in addition to conference calls scheduled on an as needed basis. Members are expected to be effective participants, working closely with the commission chair. Members are expected to attend all meetings and stay for the entire meeting, and they are expected to participate on all conference calls, and complete the work and/or group assignments. It is expected that all members will have read the meeting agenda and will have studied the issues prior to the scheduled meetings. 

The commission launched in 2022 with 10 members and will grow incrementally through 2024 to a total of 22 members. Commission members are appointed by the AAFP Board of Directors. During its inaugural year, the Board of Directors appointed to the commission one resident and one student for terms ending in 2023. Afterward, a new resident and student will be appointed to the commission for one-year terms. Beginning in December 2022, commission members will be appointed for a two-year term with the option of one two-year extension. The Board of Directors selected Dr. Ada Stewart to serve as the chair of CDEI-FM through 2024.

Reimbursement

The Commission on Finance and Insurance establishes reimbursement policies for commission members. Members are reimbursed:

• A per diem payment when traveling or attending meetings or other events on behalf of the commission.
• Actual travel expenses up to the cost of the lowest refundable coach airfare as well as parking for personal autos and/or transportation between home and airport and airport and meeting sites.

Interested?

If you are interested in nominating yourself for this commission:

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online Commission Nomination Form (available July 15-October 15 each year).

If you are interested in nominating yourself for commission chair (in your final year of service on the commission):

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online Commission Chair Nomination Form (available May 15-August 15 each year).

You can access the Commission Resource Manual for more information here.