For Alex McDonald, MD, KPSOM Assistant Professor of Clinical Science, staying connected with fellow physicians and leaders in the family medicine specialty is an important part of professional development and key to inspiration and growth for practitioners. McDonald, who also serves as a family medicine doctor at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center, has taken on an increasing number of leadership posts with the national American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and is set to be installed as president of the organization’s California chapter this month.
“I want people to feel invited, connected and engaged with the Academy, and not just where family medicine is but where family medicine is going,” McDonald said in a profile recently published in AAFP News, the organization’s website.
Also this month, McDonald will serve as convener of the National Conference of Constituency Leaders, the AAFP’s leadership development event for women, minorities, new physicians, international medical graduates, and LGBTQ+ physicians, or physician allies. “When I was finishing my training, I wanted to stay involved, and at NCCL I found a wonderful group of like-minded individuals who were inspiring and encouraging in my leadership journey.”
