Steven P. Furr, MD, FAAFP

Steven P. Furr, MD, FAAFP, a family physician in Jackson, Alabama, is board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians. The AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. As AAFP president, Furr advocates on behalf of family physicians and patients to inspire positive change in the U.S. health care system.

Furr is the co-founder of Family Medical Clinic of Jackson where he also serves on the staff of a rural hospital and medical director of the nursing home. Furr has cared for patients for 40 years, including obstetrics care for more than 25 years. He is a certified medical director.

Furr has been active in several medical societies at the state level, serving as president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama and the Alabama Medical Directors Association. He served as the chair of the Alabama delegation to the American Medical Association. Furr served 11 years on the Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners and 8 years on the Alabama State Committee of Public Health.

A member of the AAFP since 1981, Furr served as an Alabama delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates and has chaired reference committees on Advocacy and Health of the Public and Science. He was also a member and chair of the Commission on Continuing Professional Development. At the chapter level, Furr has held various leadership roles in the Alabama Academy of Family Physicians, including chapter president and chairman of the board. 

Throughout his career, Furr has been recognized with several honors and awards. He was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2014, he received the University of South Alabama National Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition, he was given the 2018 Paul W. Burleson award in recognition for faithful and meritorious service to the profession of medicine by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. In 2023, Furr was honored by the University of South Alabama Whiddon College of Medicine by receiving the 50 People of Influence Award, recognizing the 50 people who had the most influence over the first 50 years of the College of Medicine.

He continues to serve as a trustee of the University of South Alabama and as a member of the Health Affairs committee and the Health Credentialing Board Committee. He was given the title of Chair pro tempore Emeritus in 2016 by his fellow trustees.

Furr is an adjunct assistant professor with the Department of Family Medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile and an adjunct assistant professor with the Department of Family, Internal and Rural Medicine at the University of Alabama School of Medicine College of Community Health Sciences in Tuscaloosa. He also acts as a volunteer instructor in the clinical Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.

Furr earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of South Alabama and his medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Alabama Huntsville Family Practice Program. 

He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and has the AAFP Degree of Fellow, an earned degree awarded to family physicians for distinguished service and continuing medical education.