Glen R. Stream, MD

Family physician is not what I do, it is who I am. Participating in the AAFP COD and the Commission for Governmental Advocacy has left me thoroughly impressed with the skills, knowledge, and passion of our members and staff. I’ve been infected by this passion and the desire to serve our Academy, which is why I have chosen to be a candidate for your Board of Directors.

I believe we are approaching a tipping point for family medicine in the American healthcare system. The challenges of rising costs and the demand for high quality, integrated, and compassionate care can only be met by increasing the numbers and recognizing the value of family physicians. The formula for success includes not only dedication and passion, but also knowledge and experience in the areas where solutions are to be found, as well as the ability to communicate and connect with others working to improve family medicine.

We should all be grateful for the visionary work of the Future of Family Medicine task force. I firmly believe in the New Model of care. It will take a concerted effort to achieve this vision. Our Academy has always been the leader in this transformation.

As described in the New Model and the IOM Crossing the Quality Chasm report, ambulatory clinical information technology is one of the keys to improving the efficiency, quality, and safety of our health care system. In June 2007 I completed a master’s degree in biomedical informatics, focusing on ambulatory clinical IT including EHRs. This knowledge, combined with the experience of leading the EHR implementation in my medical group will be a key strength for me on the Board.

As a member of your board I will dedicate my energy to:

Advocating for payment reform which fairly compensates family physicians and assures the viability of our practices. [Click here for full statement]
Supporting health system reform which assures access for all to preventive services as well as basic care for acute and chronic illness. [Click here for full statement]
Promoting the concept of the medical home including recognition of its importance and adequate supporting payment. [Click here for full statement]
Assisting our members in transitioning to the New Model. [Click here for full statement]
Cultivating a medical education system which nurtures interest in family medicine.
[Click here for full statement]
Establishing family physicians as the experts in ambulatory information technology including EHRs. [Click here for full statement]
Continuing to promote the health of the public through programs such as Tar Wars and AIM. [Click here for full statement]

I am eager to tackle the issues facing our profession as a member of the AAFP Board. I would welcome your input, and look forward to the opportunity to speak with fellow family physicians on these and other issues of concern to family medicine.

Advisory Committee


John Anderson, MD	Cle Elum, WA
Albert O. Berg, MD, MPH	Chair, Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle, WA
Frederick Ming Chen, MD, MPH	Seattle, WA
Christopher Gaynor, MD	Seattle, WA
Jean Marshall, MD	Bellevue, WA
John McCarthy, MD	Spokane, WA
Anne Montgomery, MD	Spokane, WA
Tom Norris, MD	Seattle, WA
William R. Phillips, MD, MPH	Seattle, WA
Bertha H. Safford, MD	Ferndale, WA
Jonathan Sugarman, MD, MPH	Seattle, WA
Gregg VandeKieft, MD, MA	Olympia, WA
Lillian Wu, MD	Renton, WA