Newswise — Lori J. Heim, M.D., FAAFP, a 1986 graduate of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), has been chosen president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The AAFP represents more than 93,000 physicians and medical students nationwide and is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care. Heim was elected to the position by the Congress of Delegates, the AAFP's governing body, during the organization's annual meeting in San Diego last week.
Heim, a family physician in private practice in Vass, N.C., previously served three years as a member of the AAFP Board of Directors. A member of the AAFP since 1985, Heim served as a delegate to the AAFP's Congress of Delegates from 2000 to 2004. She served on the Commission on Health Care Services and on the Task Force of Linkages to Practice Improvement. In addition, she held the offices of president, vice president, newsletter editor and member of the board of directors of the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians (USAFP).
As president-elect of the AAFP, Heim advocates on behalf of family physicians and patients nationwide to inspire positive change in the U.S. health care system. In addition, she serves on the board of managers of TransforMED LLC, an $8 million initiative of the AAFP focused on transformative medical practice redesign. In this role, Heim works with other members of the board of managers to approve and oversee the TransforMED operating budget, and goals and performance measures to assure consistency with the AAFP's budgeted capital contributions to the new business entity.
She earned her bachelor's degree with honors from Portland State University, Ore., and was then commissioned in the Air Force and earned her medical degree at USU. She completed her family medicine residency at Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Md. She later completed a fellowship in faculty development and research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Heim's appointments with the Air Force included staff physician, clinic chief, residency director, chief of the medical staff and commander. She was assigned to USU as assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and while there served as university health center director. Heim was stationed internationally in Turkey and domestically in Washington, D.C., Florida, North Carolina and Washington state. She retired as a colonel from the Air Force after 25 years of service.
Heim 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.
Her private practice includes active office and hospital privileges, including work in the intensive care unit.
She has lectured worldwide and is published in peer-reviewed journals. She participated in humanitarian missions and volunteered in medical clinics in underserved communities. Heim has received numerous decorations including the Air Force Meritorious Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Her awards include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Humanitarian Service Award and the National Defense Service Award.
USU alumni and faculty are frequently selected for leadership positions within the AAFP and USAFP. Ted Epperly, M.D., newly-installed AAFP president, is a retired Army colonel and former associate professor of Family Medicine at USU. Warren Jones, M.D., a former AAFP president, held a position on USU's faculty prior to his selection as president. USAFP President Captain (Dr.) Mark Stephens, U.S. Navy, is currently assigned at USU, as is immediate Past-President Col. Brian Reamy, USU's Family Medicine department chair. Reamy succeeded USU class of 1991 alumna, Col. (Dr.) Karen O'Brien in the post.
The Uniformed Services University is located on the grounds of Bethesda's National Naval Medical Center and across from the National Institutes of Health. It is the nation's federal school of medicine and graduate school of nursing. The university educates health care professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of Defense and the U.S. Public Health Service. Students are primarily active-duty uniformed officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Public Health Service who are being educated to deal with wartime casualties, natural disasters, emerging infectious diseases, and other public health emergencies. Of the university's more than 4,200 physician alumni, the majority serve on active duty and are supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, offering their leadership and expertise.
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