Take the Lead: Learn to Champion
Physician Well-being

Leading Physician Well-being is a unique certificate program developed by the AAFP to help physicians foster and fine-tune the leadership skills needed  to spearhead change and champion well-being among the physicians and other clinicians in their practice or health care organization. All AAFP active members are eligible to participate in the program. Residents are eligible if they have the backing of their program; they should submit a letter of support from their program director. Additionally, 2024 marks the first year nonmembers are eligible for the program.

Applications are being accepted through May 31 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning April 1. Final acceptance notifications will be sent June 14.

Program Is Built on Three Pillars

LPW is a 10-month series that grows family physicians’ knowledge and skills in three foundational areas:

1. Physician well-being: Successful applicants build expertise through education about the essential need for and current state of well-being, how to measure it, and best practices to achieve it. They then develop a plan to raise awareness of its importance in their practice and organization.

2. Leadership development: Participants learn how to lead through wielding influence, implement change management and performance improvement activities and communicate with medical colleagues and others, and develop a change management plan to guide their organization’s work to enhance physician well-being.

3. Performance improvement: Those accepted into the program gain hands-on experience by developing and implementing a PI-CME project in their practice or organization that’s expected to wrap up one year after the program’s educational experience concludes. This activity meets ABFM Performance Improvement Activities requirements.

The LPW learning experience comprises both livestreamed and in-person events, punctuated by a steady drumbeat of online educational activities — all of which combine to foster development of a supportive learning community. A complete schedule of activities for the 2024 program year can be viewed online.

LPW Scholars Enjoy Multiple Benefits

Successfully completing the LPW program comes with many rewards. In addition to being recognized as AAFP thought leaders and acquiring the knowledge and skills to serve as spokespeople for physician well-being, program scholars receive:

• a Leading Physician Well-being certificate;

• CME credit, including PI-CME credits; and

• ABFM PI credit.

Other benefits are less tangible, although arguably no less important. During their 10 months in the program, scholars engage in peer-to-peer networking, receiving guidance and support from their colleagues. Participants also gain the satisfaction of knowing they’re honing their leadership skills while becoming effective agents for change and physician well-being experts.

Program pricing is $2,500 for active and new physician members, $2,250 for residents, and $3,000 for nonmembers. AAFP active members are eligible for scholarships. Further information about scholarships and other program specifics is available in an online FAQ.

In a letter to prospective LPW applicants, Leading Physician Well-being Program Chair Jason Marker, M.D., M.P.A., FAAFP, and AAFP Senior Vice President for Education, Inclusiveness and Physician Well-Being Margot Savoy, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, encourage them to look beyond their day-to-day work in practice — essential as it is — and envision themselves as wellness pioneers and change agents poised to enhance the quality of care their teams provide to their patients.

“What you do every day is amazing and powerful. We want to help you also lead transformative change while championing well-being among your peers and practice. Apply today to be part of this innovative program!”