Florida ACN Medical Association

03/08/2026

Let’s Celebrate Women Around the World.” 🌍💜

03/04/2026

March 4 is World Obesity Day.

Obesity is a chronic, complex medical disease , not a failure of willpower.

It is influenced by genetics, hormones, environment, metabolism, sleep, stress, and access to healthy food and movement. It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers.

As physicians, we must move beyond stigma and treat obesity the way we treat other chronic conditions:

✔️ With evidence-based care
✔️ With individualized treatment plans
✔️ With compassion

Patients deserve support, not judgment.

03/03/2026

03/02/2026

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, disrupting communication between the brain and the body. It can present with fatigue, vision changes, numbness, weakness, and difficulty with coordination, symptoms that are often invisible but deeply impactful.

Nearly 1 million people in the United States are living with MS. Early recognition, timely diagnosis, and access to disease-modifying therapies can significantly alter the course of this condition.

As physicians, we are reminded that awareness matters. Earlier conversations lead to earlier care.

💙 Let’s continue to support research, advocate for patients, and amplify the voices of those living with MS.

01/31/2026

Recent Op-Ed in the Orlando Sentinel highlights a growing crisis we can’t ignore: Florida’s physician shortage is real, worsening, and directly impacting patient access to care.

As our population grows and physicians retire or relocate, the strain on the healthcare system continues to intensify, especially in primary care. This is not a future problem; it’s happening now.

HB 809 is a meaningful step forward. The bill helps alleviate the burden on our healthcare system by ensuring patients remain protected through continued care.

Florida needs smart, patient-centered solutions. Supporting policies like HB 809 is about improving access, and making sure Floridians get the care they need, when they need it.

The conversation is happening. The data is clear. The time to act is now.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/01/31/commentary-doctors-in-underserved-areas-of-florida-need-better-job-stability/

Many doctors that operate in underserved areas of Florida have no path to permanent licensure in the state. Legislation aims to change that.

01/19/2026

Today, FAMA honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose leadership was rooted in justice, service, and equality. His vision continues to inspire our commitment to advocating for physicians, elevating our profession, and ensuring equitable care for the communities we serve. We move forward guided by purpose, unity, and action.

01/09/2026

12/26/2025

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/770921-yvette-benarroch-files-bill-to-fight-the-physician-shortage/?fbclid=IwdGRleAO7kx9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeaG39WnZePAUGvYgxyeiHX5raoTwlruTyF3HZqsGBsQGH3UJXxKMUMdz8wBg_aem_cM5rgFeOPHz51XdYrH5LQg

'Florida’s communities depend on qualified physicians especially in underserved and high need areas.'

12/20/2025

⏰ Reminder! Join Us This Sunday

Don’t forget to join us for our FAMA Town Hall this Sunday, December 21 at 1:00 PM.

We’ll be discussing important updates, including recent legislative developments, and sharing what’s ahead for our organization. Your voice and participation matter.

📅 Sunday, Dec 21
🕐 1:00 PM
📍 Virtual Town Hall (link shared via email)

We look forward to seeing you there.

12/19/2025

📢 **FAMA Legislative Statement – HB 809**

Bill HB 809 uses statutory and regulatory language modeled after Georgia Rule 360-2-.01, which outlines the requirements for licensure. This rule explicitly recognizes medical licensure examinations administered by U.S. states and territories as valid evidence of professional competency for the Puerto Rico Medical Board's certifying examination for those who completed their postgraduate training in Puerto Rico.

In line with Georgia's approach, HB 809 clearly states the requirements by specifying "a passing score on the certifying examination of the Puerto Rico Medical Board," rather than vague equivalency or discretionary language. This precise wording was taken from Georgia's licensure rule Rule 360-2-.01.

This language choice aims to ensure that physicians who have already demonstrated their competency through a recognized U.S. territorial medical licensing authority are formally acknowledged under Florida law.

By aligning with these standards, Florida's licensure system remains competitive, defensible, and responsive to physician shortages, while still adhering to Florida statutes and the oversight of the Florida Board of Medicine.

12/18/2025

📢 FAMA Legislative Update – HB 809 Submitted

We are proud to announce that FAMA has successfully submitted HB 809, a critical piece of legislation that fixes a long-standing issue regarding what “active practice of medicine” means for physicians holding temporary certificates in Areas of Critical Need.

✅ What’s been fixed?

Under HB 809, active practice of medicine is now clearly defined as practice pursuant to a valid temporary certificate. This removes ambiguity and ensures that physicians serving Florida’s most vulnerable communities are fully recognized for the work they are already doing.

✅ Why this matters:

Active practice no longer depends on outside interpretations

Practice under a temporary certificate now counts toward licensure by endorsement

Physicians serving in Areas of Critical Need are protected and acknowledged

This bill affirms what FAMA has always maintained:

Physicians practicing under a state-issued certificate ARE actively practicing medicine.

HB 809 represents a significant step forward in supporting our workforce, enhancing access to care, and ensuring fairness for physicians who serve where they are most needed.

📣 This is advocacy in action.

Thank you to Representative Yvette Benarroch, our members, and partners who continue to support FAMA’s mission to advance medicine, equity, and patient care in Florida.