FP's Work in Maternal Care Merits National Honor
Oct. 8, 2024, David Mitchell — Emily Briggs, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, has delivered more than 1,000 babies since opening a private practice northeast of San Antonio 15 years ago. She also played a leading role in improving outcomes by helping the Lone Star State define levels of care and implement evidence-based, standardized systems for neonatal intensive care units and maternity care.
So, it might not seem surprising that Briggs was recognized for her efforts during the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting earlier this year in San Francisco.
Not surprising, until you consider the fact that Briggs, who was invited to attend a dinner with ACOG’s Board of Directors before the conference and received an honorary degree of fellow from the organization during its conference, is a family physician.
“My imposter syndrome kicked in at that Board meeting,” Briggs said Sept. 23 in Phoenix, where she was representing Texas as an alternate delegate during the AAFP Congress of Delegates. “Here I was with names I’ve read in literature who’ve written the rules on OB care. It was an honor, an extremely unexpected honor.”
So how does a family doctor end up on stage with past ACOG presidents, in a cap and gown no less, at an OB/Gyn conference?
That story starts in 2011, when Briggs was just two years removed from completing her training at Christus Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency. The Texas House passed a bill creating a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Council, and two years later a similar bill created the Perinatal Advisory Council. Briggs served on both councils, including roles as vice chair of the NICU council (2014-17) and chair of the perinatal council (2018-22). She also has served on the Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies for the past six years.
The councils defined NICU and maternity care levels, ranging from Level 1 (lowest risk) to Level 4 (highest risk). The new approach tied payment to level of care, and ensured that mothers and babies receive care that matches their needs. Briggs said the changes led to improved outcomes and fewer transfers between facilities.
Patrick Ramsey, MD, MSPH, FACOG, chief medical officer of the Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies and chair-elect of ACOG’s District XI, suggested that ACOG recognize Briggs during its convocation.
“My bio was in their program,” she said. “My photo was projected on a huge screen. It was unreal. It was awesome. Some of their members came up to me and told me how important it was for them to have family physicians in the community to help them manage care of a population and they can’t do it on their own.”
Briggs started out on her own, opening a private family medicine practice right out residency in New Braunfels, Texas, which was in need of more primary care.
“I knew I wanted to start my own practice,” said Briggs, who was seven months pregnant when she hung her shingle. “My parents had their own business and did their own thing. I wanted to have that kind of autonomy. That first week was really slow, but when the community found out there was new doctor in town taking Medicare and Medicaid and doing OB, they jumped on board.”
Briggs now has two teenage daughters and has watched her family grow along with her practice and community. Through it all, Briggs has made time for leadership, serving as president of her county medical society and the Texas AFP. She’s now her state chapter’s Board chair. Nationally, Briggs has served the AAFP as new physician Board member and as a member of the Academy’s AMA delegation.
Vibe Check: Is Family Medicine
Right for Me?
Monday Oct. 28 | 7 p.m. CT
Emily Briggs, MD, MPH, FAAFP, will be one of the panelists as the AAFP and the Association of American Medical Colleges present Vibe Check: Is Family Medicine
Right for Me?
During this free webinar for medical students, six family physicians who practice in different settings will discuss their personal journeys, including pivotal moments during medical school, residency selection and job exploration.
“I don’t know how to say no,” she said. “In residency, you have the most dynamic residency experience when you say yes. I tell residents to say yes to things so that they can have that experience while they have someone overseeing what they’re doing. I’ve never learned to turn that off.
“I love the idea of advocacy at the grass roots level, being able to get people to see their commonality so we can move forward to improve patient care, whether state, local or national. Advocacy is my passion. I love my patients. I’m there with them whenever I’m not here. I’ve been put in this place for a reason. If we don’t speak up for those who don’t have a voice, why are we here?”
Not that it’s easy to be away from home several days in a row for an event like the Congress of Delegates.
“If a private practice physician is here, it shows how important a topic is for that physician,” she said. “We’re giving up a lot to be here. If I’m not seeing patients, I’m not making money for my practice. I can’t keep practice open if I don’t see patients. And you don’t just take that time. You also have work ahead of time and fix things when you get back.”
After COD, Briggs was eager to return home to Texas, where she delivers six to eight babies a month in a city of roughly 105,000 people.
“That’s a turning point in a person’s life,” she said. “I get the joy of being a person in that one time in their life when everything changes. Nothing is more special. I remind students and residents that we are in a unique position as physicians. Because of a piece of paper on the wall, they get naked in front of us and let us hammer their knees. Our patients trust us. They come to us on their worst day and give us that power, blessing and opportunity to be in our care when they are at their worst so we can help them feel better. You get to see pregnancy, the end of life, and walk them through scary things in between. There are relationships you build along the way, and that’s a reason to be a family physician.”