amily octor - Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians

T O T H E E D I T O R
A Letter to the Board of Directors and Members and
Staff of the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians
Dear colleagues,
Dr. Robert Jarvik, the inventor of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart, once
said, “Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear
and no concept of the odds against them.” The history of leadership
of the LAPF is extraordinary. We are the progeny of visionaries like
Rafael Sanchez, Gerry Gehringer, Deke Sorkow, Jerry Keller and
others who have led our state organization and become leaders on a
national scale. None could have succeeded without the support of
the members of the Boards of Directors from around the state who
represent our members, and the members themselves who have
given encouragement to those leaders.
I remember my first AAFP Congress of Delegates, where I watched
as Gerry Gehringer was elected as President-Elect of the AAFP. I
wanted to one day be like him and the others I saw that day. It is
humbling to follow such leaders, the mentors that steeled me with the passion to lead our organization.
Last month Sally and I were recipients of your outpouring of support. The Louisiana hospitality room in San Diego featured a
restaurant theme, “Café Lagniappe”, serving up a Shreveport-developed specialty, crawfish and grits, to all comers to the Congress
of Delegates. Our delegation welcomed over 700 to taste the spirit of Louisiana, and to sample our hospitality. LAFP
President Cissy Picou, along with her faithful companion (is this the Cajun royalty thing, President-consort!) Brian, and a remarkable
contingent of LAFP members and staff dressed in chef’s jackets and toques to proclaim that we in Louisiana offered
“Something Special in 2002” for our Academy. Even Jerry Keller donned the toque, telling AAFP Delegate Ed Martin that he
wouldn’t have done it for anyone else!
To all of you, those who came and enjoyed beautiful San Diego and those who stayed home and did what we do best – care for
our patients – Sally, my family and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
With gratitude,
Dr. Fleming, accompanied by his wife . Sally , gives his
acceptance speech after being elected AAFP’s President-
Elect in San Diego, CA.
Michael Fleming, MD
President-Elect
American Academy of Family Physicians
Dr. Fleming’s
2002 AAFP
President-Elect
Hospitality Suite
“Louisiana’s
Chefs”
A Note of Thanks….
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your message of condolence. It was very comforting.
Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated and will be long remembered.
Sincerely,
Imogene Berthelot
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