What Is Family Medicine?

Family medicine is whole-person health care for people of all ages, from newborns to older adults. Family doctors build long-term relationships with their patients, providing care through every stage of life — including the management of acute and chronic medical conditions, pregnancy, preventive care, mental health, and more.

Family physicians often serve as primary care providers, offering first-line care and guiding patients through the health system. Their training also prepares them to provide a wide range of services beyond traditional primary care, in a wide range of settings, shaped by the needs of the communities they serve. These services could include: gender affirming care, office based addiction treatment, joint injections, dermatological procedures, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), contraception management, etc.

What makes family medicine unique is its combination of broad medical expertise, procedural skills, and a commitment to understanding each patient’s life, family, and community.

Mission

The Rhode Island Academy of Family Physicians exists to promote the health of the patients, families and communities of Rhode Island by advancing the specialty of family medicine through education and advocacy.

Leadership

President-Elect
Charles Hackett, MD

Secretary/Treasurer
Christine Nevins-Herbert, MD

At Large Board Members: 

Jeffrey Borkan, MD
Max Cohen, DO 
Sara Delaporta, MD
Sarah Fessler, MD
Meghan Gould, DO
Angela Jacavone, DO
Cristina Mitchell, MD
Khyati Patel, MD
Jordan White, MD

Public Members:

Alketa Mezini

Committee Chairs:

Education Committee: Christine Nevins-Herbert, MD
Advocacy Committee: Kate de Klerk, DO
Communications Committee: Jennifer Buckley, MD

AAFP Congress of Delegates Representatives:

Delegates: Sara Watson, MD and Nicole Siegert, MD
Alternate Delegates: Jennifer Buckley, MD and Chelsea Graham, DO
Student Delegates: Jack Beattie and Paige Liebel

Resident Members of the Board:

Pawtucket: Ashley Le-Pham, MD and Benji Cole, MD
Warwick: Lindsay Hock, DO and Elizabeth Wright, DO

Staff

Government Relations Liaison
Stacy Paterno

Bylaws

Election Guide

Organizational Chart

Management Company: Rhode Island Medical Society (RIMS)

The Rhode Island Medical Society (RIMS) serves as the management company for the Rhode Island Academy of Family Physicians. RIMS provides administrative support, event coordination, and member services, ensuring smooth operations and valuable resources for our members. The RIAFP is not a subsidiary of RIMS. Policies and official positions are independently determined by the RIAFP Board on behalf of the membership.
Learn more: Visit RIMS Website

AAFP

Learn more: Visit AAFP Website