Announcing the WONCA North America Region Convening Meeting
Join Us for the First-Ever WONCA North America Region Convening Meeting
By Victor Ng MD CCFP(EM) MHPE FCFP ICD.D
President WONCA North America Region
As the President of the WONCA North America Region, it gives me great pleasure to announce the inaugural WONCA North America Region Convening set to take place on Sunday, September 22, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. This event will take place just before the Family Medicine Experience (FMX) 2024 organized by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). In addition, a Global Health Summit pre-conference will be held beginning on the afternoon of Sunday, September 22, and Monday, September 23, offering an expanded platform to discuss global health issues.
A New Chapter for WONCA North America
The WONCA North America Region, which includes seven member organizations—four full members and three associate members—has always been deeply committed to advancing family medicine across our region. This convening represents the beginning of what we aim to make an annual event rooted in the common themes that unite us and designed to facilitate co-learning and collaboration. It will also serve as an important opportunity to network, engage with WONCA members, and reflect on how our organization can continue to support and elevate the practice of family medicine.
This upcoming convening marks the first gathering of WONCA North America members and is open to all. We aim to establish this as an annual event grounded in the cross-cutting themes that are common across our region. By providing a forum for co-learning and collaboration, we hope to foster an environment where family doctors from across North America can engage in meaningful discussions, share innovative practices, and build lasting connections.
Event Highlights: Keynote Presentation
Our convening will begin with a warm welcome from key figures in our community, including Shawn Martin, CEO and Executive Vice President of AAFP; Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, WONCA World President Elect; and myself. This will set the stage for a day filled with insightful discussions and presentations, all designed to address the unique challenges we face in family medicine.
One of the central highlights of the event will be the keynote address by Dr. Carlos R. Gonzales MD FAAFP, Associate Dean of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Arizona College of Health Sciences. Dr. Gonzales will deliver a presentation titled “Addressing Challenges: Primary Care, Rural Health, Native American Health, The Border,” focusing on the pressing issues that affect our communities across North America. His extensive experience in Indigenous health and rural medicine promises to offer valuable perspectives on how we as family doctors can better serve these communities.
WONCA Global Core Values Project
One of the key sessions of the day will focus on Global Core Values for Family Medicine - Perspectives From North America. This initiative, part of a broader WONCA project led internationally by WONCA Past President Anna Stavdal (Norway), aims to define and prioritize the core values that guide our work as family physicians. The session will serve as a regional exercise to inform the global WONCA World project on our shared understanding of family medicine and will be guided by a diverse group from across the North American region with a final report to be presented at the WONCA World Conference in Lisbon next year. During this session, we will explore how our region can contribute to this global dialogue, bringing our unique perspectives and experiences to the table.
WONCA Polaris, the Young Doctors' Movement of North America, will also play a significant role in this convening. Chaired by Brunèe Dorsett, WONCA Polaris has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of empowering the next generation of family doctors. Brunèe will provide updates on the movement’s initiatives and ongoing efforts to engage young physicians across our region.
Workshops and Networking Opportunities
To facilitate deeper engagement and practical outcomes, the convening will include several breakout sessions focused on critical topics such as medical education, the impact of climate change on clinical care, and the role of family doctors as community health advocates. Led by experienced facilitators, these workshops will provide a platform for participants to collaborate on developing solutions and strategies that can be implemented within their own practices and communities.
The day will conclude with a wrap-up session summarizing key takeaways and setting the stage for future collaborations. Attendees are also invited to join the Global Health Summit Networking Reception later in the evening, providing an additional opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world.
I encourage all family doctors, general practitioners, and healthcare professionals in our region to participate in this inaugural event. It is an opportunity to reflect on the value that WONCA brings to our practices, to engage with peers, and to contribute to a shared vision for the future of family medicine.
Let us come together in Phoenix this September to learn, share, and collaborate as we continue to uphold the standards and values that define our profession.
See the Convening Meeting Schedule.
Visit the website of Family Medicine Experience (FMX), AAFP's premier event for Family Medicine.