Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians

03/19/2026

From vaccine legislation to immigration enforcement in health care, a proposed Minnesota Department of Human Services overhaul, gun policy debates & more — MAFP lobbyist Megan Verdeja shares the latest updates from the Capitol:

The MN legislative session 2026 is moving fast. MAFP breaks down week four with updates on bills, committees and resources.

03/19/2026

Health Advisory: "Minnesota Department of Health Extends Date for Use of RSV Monoclonal Antibodies through April 30, 2026," for infants + young children at risk of severe RSV.

RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization for infants. RSV-mAbs strongly protect against severe disease, reducing hospitalizations by 75–80%.

Read the full advisory: www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ep/han/2026/mar16rsv.pdf

03/19/2026

03/18/2026

🎙️ Our CEO Maria Huntley, CAE, MAM, was a recent guest on the Leadership Wellbeing Series podcast (produced by Association Briefings).

The episode features a candid conversation with Huntley; Kelli Baxter, MS, of KG1 Consulting Group; & Celia Chomón Zamora, PhD, CAE, of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, re: leading with values during times of crisis & underscores the importance of integrity, courage + creating space for teams.

Listen at https://healthybyassociation.podbean.com/e/when-leadership-gets-personal-navigating-crisis-and-community.

In this episode of the Leadership Wellbeing Series, hosts Aaron Wolowiec, FASAE, CAE, CMP Fellow, and Tara Puckey, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CMP, are joined by Kelli Baxter, MS, founder and managing partner at KG1 Consulting Group; Maria Huntley, CAE, MAM, CEO of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians; a...

03/17/2026

This morning, the MN Senate Health & Human Services Committee (chair: Senator Melissa Halvorson Wiklund) is hearing SF 3859 — a bill that would:

✔ Ensure coverage of recommended vaccines without cost-sharing.

✔ Establish a Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council.

✔ Strengthen access to accurate, evidence-based vaccine guidance.

The MN Academy of Family Physicians submitted a letter in support, highlighting the critical role family physicians play in guiding patients + communities with trusted, science-backed information.

At a time when misinformation can impact health decisions, policies grounded in clinical expertise matter.

We appreciate the leadership behind SF 3859 (Senator Matt Klein, M.D.) + encourage continued support for efforts that protect public health & strengthen confidence in safe, effective vaccines.

03/16/2026

Financial challenges at Hennepin Healthcare are impacting the Hennepin family medicine residency.

Join an MAFP members-only conversation to learn more + hear perspectives from leaders experienced in navigating institutional change.

🗓️ March 18 | ⏰ 7–8 pm | 💻 Online

➡️ Facilitator: Jamie Conniff, MD, MPH, MAFP President

➡️ Guest speakers: Mac Baird, MD, MS, + Jim Pacala, MD, MS, UMN Family Medicine and Community Health

We’ll discuss how the family medicine community can support residency training & MN’s future physician workforce.

Register at mafp.org/event/2026-community-conversation-for-minnesota-family-physicians-hennepin-healthcare.

03/15/2026

💡 Family physicians, residents, med students + community partners came together today for the MAFP Innovation & Research Forum — sharing practical research + real-world innovation shaping family medicine.

Presentations dived into community-engaged quality improvement, maternal health, food access, POCUS in free clinics & improving care delivery.

📊 Posters explored cancer screening, OB training, vector-borne disease awareness, organ donation perspectives, youth mental health justice + more.

Attendees received a first look at a new MAFP toolkit supporting American Board of Family Medicine MOC Part IV.

SPECIAL THANKS to:

➡️ Forum co-chairs Dana Brandenburg, PsyD, & Ese Aghenta, MD, MPH, FAAFP

➡️ Our partners: Mayo Clinic; University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus; UMN Family Medicine and Community Health; & HealthPartners

03/13/2026

🚨 You can still join us for the Innovation & Research Forum!

🗓 March 14, 2026, ⏰ 8 am–2:05 pm
📍 Attend in person or virtually

Hear from family physicians + community partners presenting practical research + innovation you can bring back to your own practice.

Topics include:
• Maternal & OB care
• Behavioral health
• Chronic disease management
• POCUS
• Quality improvement + more

✔ Earn up to 5 CME credits
✔ Get a first look at a new MAFP toolkit for American Board of Family Medicine MOC Part IV
✔ Free for resident + student members

Grateful to our co-chairs Dana Brandenburg, PsyD, & Ese Aghenta, MD, MPH, FAAFP, + partners: Mayo Clinic; University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus; UMN Family Medicine and Community Health; & HealthPartners.

🔗 Register: mafp.org/event/2026-innovation-research-forum

03/12/2026

“Family physicians bring a unique perspective to vaccine policy because we deliver care across the lifespan.”

Today, the MN Senate State & Local Government Committee is holding a hearing on SF 3859. The MAFP submitted a letter of support in advance, backing the bill which:

➡️ Requires coverage, without cost-sharing, for routine immunizations.

➡️ Establishes a Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council to guide recommendations for vaccine schedules & school requirements.

Thank you Senator Matt Klein, M.D., for leading this effort to protect patients + families across MN.

03/12/2026

Minnesotans deserve to seek care without fear.

Today, MAFP leader Nicole Chaisson, MD, MPH (UMN Family Medicine and Community Health), testified before the Senate Health & Human Services Committee in support of SF 4242. The legislation would designate health care settings as sensitive areas & limit when & how civil immigration enforcement actions can occur within MN health care facilities.

Family physicians see every day how fear can lead patients to delay care, cancel appointments or avoid treatment altogether. Policies that protect access to care protect the health of our communities.

Thank you to bill author Dr. Alice Mann For MN State Senate for bringing forward this important legislation.

03/11/2026

MN’s Medicaid program is facing major disruption.

A federal funding freeze + policy changes could impact patient coverage, care coordination & administrative burden.

More about what this means for family physicians + actions you can take in our latest blog post:

Minnesota's Medicaid program faces major disruption in 2026. Learn how the federal changes will affect your patients and your practice.

03/11/2026

1 week ago today…

Inspired by the physicians, residents + med students who came together to advocate at the Capitol & within our Academy for Family Medicine Advocacy Day.

The energy ⚡, passion ❤️ & spirit ✨ of that day — we won’t soon forget.

The work continues… ➡️