Cora L.E. Christian, MD, MPH, FAAFP, a family physician on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, achieved the Degree of Fellow from the American Academy of Family Physicians, the national medical association representing 100,300 family physicians, residents and medical students since 1976. She has had continuous membership in the academy until the present. There are a total of 29,000 AAFP Fellows nationwide.
The Degree of Fellow was established in 1971 by the AAFP Congress of Delegates (revised in 1992) as an avenue for special recognition of AAFP members who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues, as well as in their communities, by their service to family medicine, the advancement of health care to the American people, and by their professional development through medical education and research. Criteria for receiving the AAFP Degree of Fellow consist of a minimum of six years of membership in the organization, extensive continuing medical education, participation in public service programs outside medical practice, conducting original research and serving as a teacher in family medicine.
To maintain membership in the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Christian is required to complete a minimum of 150 hours of accredited continuing medical education every three years. The AAFP was the first national medical specialty organization to set continuing education requirements for its members. This requirement helps ensure family physician members remain educated on the most up-to-date medical technologies, research and techniques.
About the American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 105,900 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care. Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.
