Independence Day: “a federal holiday in the United States, commemorating the Declaration of Independence” (Wikipedia, accessed 07-06-23). A declaration that the colonies were not under Great Britain and now free and independent. Yet this was only a milestone during the 8-year American Revolutionary War from 1775 – 1783.
Compare this to the countless struggles, battles and challenges still faced by so many people living in the United States today. Our patients and their families, our co-workers, those providing us many valuable daily conveniences and yes, even us. Progress has been made since the late 1770s, but as evidenced on the news and in our daily lives, there is so much more to do until equity and parity is achieved for our marginalized fellow beings. And, as I have painfully and humbly discovered, often there is much learning to do within ourselves.
The Los Angeles County Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians (LAAFP) offers our members venues to further our efforts to achieve such “independence”. Our networking functions, participation at advocacy events and provision of education on various topics hope to promote and support the California Academy of Family Physicians’ (CAFP) Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiative. We invite you to place the following events on your calendar: 1) LAAFP Annual Meeting at the CAFP’s Prism of Practice (aka POP) conference in Orange/Costa Mesa – 08-27-23 from 7:15 – 8:15 and 2) LAAFP Member Appreciation Meeting & Family Event at Parker’s Lighthouse in Long Beach – 11-11-23 from 11:30 – 1:30, featuring our own CAFP President Dr. Raul Ayala as a special guest.
As always, please reach out to us with your needs, interests, and comments. We are here as your Chapter to serve you.
