Irfan M. Asif, M.D., chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, has recently accepted a two-year appointment on the Board of Directors as chair of the Research Development Committee for the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM). The ADFM is the premier organization shaping the landscape of family medicine.

"I am honored to contribute, learn, and collaborate to help improve primary care delivery, education, and research," said Asif. "Our work will have a tremendous impact on the patients that we serve."

The ADFM membership represents more than 150 family medicine departments across the nation in support of transforming education and research to promote health equity and improved care for all. Through its collaboration efforts, ADFM provides a platform for leading innovations in clinical care delivery, medical student education, resident training, and research.

In his new role, Asif will assist in strengthening the research and scholarship capacities available to family medicine departments.

"Ultimately, I hope to elevate research within the discipline of family medicine so that it is a major contributor to healthcare delivery and transformation in the future," said Asif. "To do this, we must develop a robust agenda for family medicine, develop networks and infrastructure to support the work that is needed, and educate our future workforce so that they can better meet the needs of healthcare in the future."

Through these efforts, the committee aims to attract more research-oriented medical students and support their development during their residency.