Investing in the Next Generation of Family Medicine
Growing and strengthening the family medicine workforce in Wisconsin is a strategic priority for WAFP, and that ultimately begins with medical students. The Board of Directors wants to make sure you're aware of a valuable opportunity available to students who may be at the start of their family medicine journey: free membership, at both the state and national level.
Did you know that medical students can join as members of both American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP) at no cost? Together, these memberships open the door to a professional community, leadership opportunities, local and national advocacy, and educational resources, all before a student even enters residency.
As a student, we welcome you to join! As a practicing family physician, if you know a medical student who is either exploring or committed to family medicine, please encourage them to join! More information about enrolling in AAFP and WAFP student membership is available at aafp.org/membership/join/student.
By connecting students to family medicine in Wisconsin earlier, we can better show the importance, breadth, depth, and most importantly, the impact of the specialty. It means more future physicians who are informed, engaged, and supported from day one. By encouraging interested students to get involved, you help shape the specialty's future in Wisconsin and help create healthier communities.
Registration is Open for the Inaugural Family Medicine SCOPE Conference
WAFP's first-ever Family Medicine SCOPE Conference -- Skills, Continuity, and Outcomes for Primary Care Excellence -- takes place Friday, August 7, 2026 at Hotel Marshfield in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Registration is now open and closes July 31, 2026.
SCOPE is a full-day conference built around hands-on procedural skills workshops and evidence-based lecture sessions, designed for family physicians at all stages of practice. This year's workshop topics include abdominal and renal point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), shoulder and knee joint injections, women's health, soft tissue musculoskeletal POCUS, and physician well-being. Workshop selections are made during the registration process; some workshops have limited capacity, so registering early is encouraged.
Family physicians practicing in rural communities, FQHCs, rural health clinics, or safety-net settings may be eligible for a scholarship from the WAFP Foundation to help cover registration costs. The scholarship application deadline is July 10, 2026.
Visit wafp.org/upcoming-events/family-medicine-scope-conference-2026 for the full agenda, scholarship information, and to register.
Why Attend SCOPE? SCOPE was developed by family physicians, for family physicians -- specifically to address the skills and topics identified through our member Needs Assessment survey. Whether you're looking to add a new procedural skill, strengthen an existing one, or simply invest a day in your own professional development, this conference was built with your practice in mind. The member registration rate reflects WAFP's commitment to making this education accessible to you.
