MAFP Helps Shape National Policy at NCCL & ACLF

Michigan Academy of Family Physicians' members and staff attended American Academy of Family Physicians' National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL) and Academy Chapter Leader Forum (ACLF), held concurrently April 23-25, in Kansas City, MO. These annual conferences are flagship leadership events where family physicians shape Academy policies and positions on issues impacting the practice of family medicine. Five-member constituency delegates represented MAFP by introducing, discussing, and voting on resolutions (proposals for change) through the lens of their constituency. MAFP’s 2026 NCCL Delegates included:

• William Childs II, DO – BIPOC Physician Delegate
• Yamuna Yoganathan, MD – IMG Physician Delegate
• Elisa Kolk, MD – Woman Physician Delegate
• Dan Drake, MD, FAAFP – New Physician Delegate
• Ashley Erwin, MD – LGBTQ+ Physician/Physician Ally Delegate

In addition to representing his constituency, Dr. Childs was elected to serve as BIPOC Co-Convener for next year’s NCCL and selected as one of six Congressional Delegate Alternates for this year’s Conference of Delegates in Nashville. 

Attending ACLF on behalf of MAFP were: 

• Bashar Yalldo, MD, FAAFP, President
• Brandon Karmo, DO, FAAFP, President-elect
• Kristi VanDerKolk, MD, FAAFP, Vice President
• Karlene Ketola, MSA, CAE, CEO
• Scott Walsh, Director of Workforce and Communications
  
• Ashley Carter, Program Manager

Looking Ahead
AAFP’s 2027 National Conference of Constituency Leaders and Academy Chapter Leader Forum will be held April 16-18. Michigan Delegates — one per member constituency — will be selected by the MAFP Executive Committee. Active family physician members of MAFP are eligible to apply.