About the Annual Assembly
This multi-day event is our premier educational event, offering clinical updates, CME, and networking for physicians, residents, and students. It also features research presentations and leadership development.
2025 Annual Scientific Assembly
Taking place November 12–15 at The Wyndham Atlanta Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center, the 2025 Assembly will feature expert-led CME sessions, a research poster competition, and robust networking opportunities. AAFP Prescribed Credits will be available for eligible sessions.
Annual Meeting Schedule
Wednesday, November 12th
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Speaker: Dr. Samuel “Le” Church
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Accurate medical coding is critical for proper reimbursement, yet many family physicians face challenges due to evolving E/M guidelines, complex payer rules, and limited formal training. This focused workshop equips family physicians with up-to-date coding knowledge, practical tools, and strategies to improve documentation, reduce audit risks, and navigate both fee-for-service and value-based care models. Learn how to streamline your coding process, optimize revenue, and refocus your time on patient care.
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Speakers: Drs. Paul Klas and Kelly Culbertson
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Unlock the power of bedside ultrasound and transform patient care with this comprehensive, hands-on introduction to Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS). Designed for clinicians, residents, and medical trainees, this course demystifies ultrasound principles, equipment handling, image optimization, and artifact recognition. Through interactive learning, practical demonstrations, and repetition-based skill-building, you'll gain the confidence to make rapid, focused diagnoses at the bedside. Join us and become proficient in this essential, high-impact clinical tool — and elevate your diagnostic precision starting today.
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Location: Chastain Ballroom
The Board of Directors will convene during the Annual Meeting to discuss key initiatives, set strategic priorities, and guide the future of the organization.
Thursday, November 13th
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Location: Buckhead Prefunction
Stop by to pick up your badge, meeting materials, and get ready to kick off the Annual Meeting!
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Location: Oglethorpe
The GHFA VIP Donor Hospitality Room, held annually during the GAFP Annual Meeting, provides GHFA donors exclusive access to complimentary refreshments and continuous gourmet coffee offerings throughout the day and is just one way GHFA recognizes donors who have made individual gifts of $5,000 or more throughout the year. Stop by the VIP Donor Room to talk to GHFA staff and learn how you can support your foundation’s programming including the Community Grant programs and the new Escaping Vaping nicotine and tobacco prevention program statewide.
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Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Smarter Practice: Using AI to Reduce Administrative Burden in Primary Care
Family physicians face rising administrative burdens that increase burnout and reduce patient time. This session explores how AI tools streamline documentation, manage inboxes, support coding, and boost workflow efficiency. Learn practical uses, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI in practice. Gain strategies to integrate AI solutions that reclaim clinical time, improve work-life balance, and enhance overall practice efficiency.
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Speaker: Eric D. Achtyes, MD. MS
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Learn an evidence-based approach to managing treatment-resistant depression and suboptimally managed MDD. This session covers measurement-based care, distinguishing MDD from bipolar disorder, and choosing between augmentation and switching strategies. Explore how to tailor treatments for residual symptoms, mixed features, and anxious distress while comparing single-pathway vs. multimodal therapies to improve outcomes.
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Location: Buckhead Prefunction
Take a break, grab a snack, and connect with fellow attendees. This is a great time to recharge and build new professional relationships before the next session begins.
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Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Kick off GAFP’s Annual Scientific Assembly with Kevin Hines—mental health advocate, author, and filmmaker. Kevin shares his powerful story of surviving a suicide attempt and his journey to recovery. His keynote inspires hope and highlights how recovery is possible. Learn to recognize suicide warning signs, apply supportive care strategies, and implement evidence-based tools like safety planning to better support at-risk patients in your practice.
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Location: Heritage Ballroom
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Location: Buckhead Ballroom
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Speaker: Dr. William Bostock
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Stay current with Georgia Composite Medical Board updates essential for family physicians. This session covers recent changes in licensure, scope of practice, prescribing rules, and disciplinary trends. Learn to navigate regulatory requirements, avoid common compliance pitfalls, and apply these updates to ensure safe, legal, and ethical care in Georgia. Gain clarity on expectations to protect your practice and patients.
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Speaker: Ecler Ercole Jaqua, MD, MBA, FAAFP, AGSF, FACLM, DipABOM, AAHIVS
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
In partnership with The Obesity Society and Medscape Education, this 1-hour CME-certified workshop uses expert-led engagement, self-reflection, and point-of-care tools to improve obesity care. Participants will also explore 2 virtual patient cases online. Learn to apply current guidelines, address weight bias, engage patients in shared decision-making, and build personalized, evidence-based obesity treatment plans that include counseling and pharmacotherapy options.
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Location: Buckhead Prefunction
Take a break, grab a snack, and connect with fellow attendees. This is a great time to recharge and build new professional relationships before the next session begins.
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Speaker: Dr. Milena Armani
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
This session provides family physicians with evidence-based tools to support patients of all ages living with ADHD. Learn how ADHD presents across the lifespan, identify common comorbidities, and explore both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. Gain strategies to guide families in symptom management, improve daily functioning, and connect patients with helpful resources, behavioral supports, and individualized care plans.
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Registration Closes
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GHFA VIP Lounge Closes
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Location: Heritage Ballroom
Strut into the GAFP PAC Reception — where advocacy gets fierce! This isn’t your average meet-and-greet. It’s your chance to stand up, speak out, and support the PAC that fights for family medicine at the Gold Dome. We’re turning political power into party vibes — because changing healthcare starts with bold voices (and maybe a bold cocktail).
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Invitation Only
Get ready to shine at the GHFA Donor Reception—our annual glam moment during the GAFP Annual Meeting! We’re rolling out the red carpet to toast our top donors and celebrate a powerhouse year: hitting $1 million in grants awarded to GAFP members and launching the game-changing Escaping Vaping tobacco and nicotine prevention program. Let’s party like it’s a million-dollar milestone—because it is!
Friday, November 14th
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Location: Buckhead Prefunction
Stop by to pick up your badge, meeting materials, and get ready to kick off the Annual Meeting!
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Location: Oglethorpe
The GHFA VIP Donor Hospitality Room, held annually during the GAFP Annual Meeting, provides GHFA donors exclusive access to complimentary refreshments and continuous gourmet coffee offerings throughout the day and is just one way GHFA recognizes donors who have made individual gifts of $5,000 or more throughout the year. Stop by the VIP Donor Room to talk to GHFA staff and learn how you can support your foundation’s programming including the Community Grant programs and the new Escaping Vaping nicotine and tobacco prevention program statewide.
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Speaker: Dr. Cara Beth Cimmino
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
This session equips family physicians to diagnose and manage common urologic conditions like BPH, hematuria, UTIs, and incontinence in outpatient care. Learn to spot red flags needing urgent referral, initiate evidence-based first-line treatments, and communicate effectively on sensitive issues. Gain skills to improve patient outcomes through timely management and shared decision-making in treatment and referral planning.
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Location: Dahlonega
It’s impact hour at the GHFA Board Meeting — where philanthropy takes center stage! This is more than a meeting; it’s a mission in motion. Our board members gather to spark ideas, steer resources, and amplify the Foundation’s work in supporting future family physicians and healthier communities across Georgia. Big hearts, bold impact — all in a day’s work.
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Off site - Invitation Only
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Speaker: Rebekah Bernard, MD
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
As non-physician practitioners take on expanded roles, patient safety and care quality may be impacted. Dr. Rebekah Bernard explores evidence, cases, and policy on independent non-physician practice. Learn why physician training and critical thinking are vital, and how physician-led, team-based care safeguards patients. Gain tools to advocate for high standards in care, informed by data on education, outcomes, and scope-of-practice effects.
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Location: Buckhead Prefunction
Take a break, grab a snack, and connect with fellow attendees. This is a great time to recharge and build new professional relationships before the next session begins.
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Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Healthcare is rapidly evolving—reshaping how care is delivered, documented, and reimbursed. In this closing keynote, AAFP CEO Shawn Martin shares insights on key reforms and technologies like AI, telehealth, and remote monitoring. Learn how to navigate change, improve efficiency, and deliver more connected, patient-centered care. Walk away with practical strategies to embrace innovation and lead through transformation with confidence and clarity in primary care.
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Location: Heritage Ballroom
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Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Winners in each category, including Pre-Medical Student, Medical Student, and Family Medicine Resident, will have the opportunity to present their research on the Main Stage at the GAFP Annual Meeting.
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Registration Closes
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GHFA VIP Lounge Closes
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Speaker: Simy Kabaria Parikh, MD
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Migraine is a leading cause of disability and a common issue in primary care. This session gives family physicians practical, evidence-based tools to diagnose and manage migraines across patient populations. Learn to recognize atypical presentations, explore current treatment options including CGRP inhibitors and neuromodulation, and tailor care plans. Walk away ready to classify headache types, create effective treatment plans, and guide patients with non-drug strategies.
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Step right up (quietly, of course) to the GHFA Silent Auction — where giving back gets glam! From luxe getaways to one-of-a-kind goodies, every bid brings a little thrill and a big impact. All proceeds fuel GHFA’s mission to support future family docs and community health across Georgia. So go on… place that bid and feel fabulously philanthropic.
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Location: Buckhead Prefunction
Get ready to sparkle at the GAFP Presidential Gala — a night of elegance, celebration, and a whole lot of heart. This year, we’re rolling out the red carpet for the fabulous Dr. Monica Newton, honoring her inspiring leadership and unwavering dedication to family medicine. Dress to impress, raise a glass, and toast to a powerhouse president who's made a lasting mark on Georgia healthcare. It's not just a gala — it’s the event of the season!
Saturday, November 15th
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Location: Buckhead Prefunction
Stop by to pick up your badge, meeting materials, and get ready to kick off the Annual Meeting!
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Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Partnerships & Process: Where Family Medicine Meets the Front Lines of Cancer Care
What if beating cancer begins in your family doctor’s office? At City of Hope, half of patients start with a primary care referral. Family medicine plays a crucial role in early detection, fast-tracking care, and partnering with specialists. Join experts to explore how family physicians can improve cancer outcomes by bridging everyday care with lifesaving treatment. Learn the impact of early referrals and ways to enhance the referral process.
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Speaker: Anna Mirk, MD, FACP
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
As the population ages, polypharmacy poses growing risks to older adults. This session equips family physicians with evidence-based tools to manage complex medication regimens. Learn to identify inappropriate drugs, safely deprescribe, and apply both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies. Gain practical skills to reduce adverse events, improve adherence, and align treatment with patient goals through interdisciplinary, patient-centered care.
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Location: Buckhead Prefunction
Take a break, grab a snack, and connect with fellow attendees. This is a great time to recharge and build new professional relationships before the next session begins.
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Speaker: Brooks D. Cash, MD
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
IBS is a common challenge in primary care. This session guides family physicians in using Rome IV criteria and clinical evaluation to diagnose IBS and rule out red flags or other GI disorders. Learn individualized treatment strategies including diet, medications, and behavioral therapies. Gain skills to create personalized management plans that address symptom types, patient preferences, and improve quality of life across the care continuum.
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Location: Buckhead Prefunction
Take a break, grab lunch, and connect with fellow attendees. This is a great time to recharge and build new professional relationships before the next session begins.
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Speakers: Jay H. Shubrook, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP
Kim Pfotenhauer, DO, FACOFP, DABOMLocation: Buckhead Ballroom
This program equips primary care physicians with education on the holistic management of type 2 diabetes, with a focus on GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). Learn how to apply the broad effects of GLP-1 RAs, integrate them into individualized care plans, and manage related side effects. Strategies will support improved safety, adherence, and long-term outcomes in patients with T2D using evidence-based guidelines and patient-centered approaches.
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Speaker: Anju Oommen, MD
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Resistant hypertension is a rising concern in primary care, often tied to complex causes and increased cardiovascular risk. This case-based session helps family physicians distinguish true resistance from pseudoresistance, identify secondary causes, and apply stepwise, evidence-based treatment. Learn how to initiate effective workups, prescribe targeted therapies, and incorporate lifestyle and team-based strategies to improve blood pressure control and outcomes.
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Location: Buckhead Prefunction
Take a break and connect with fellow attendees. This is a great time to recharge and build new professional relationships before the next session begins.
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Speaker: Sajiv Alias, MD
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Musculoskeletal injuries are common in primary care, making sports medicine essential for family physicians. This session offers hands-on, evidence-based tools to evaluate and manage acute and overuse injuries across ages. Learn focused physical exam techniques, when to order imaging or refer, and how to develop personalized treatment and rehab plans that support safe return to activity while recognizing red flags for specialist referral.
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Speaker: Dr. Karla Booker
Location: Buckhead Ballroom
Menopause can be challenging, and family physicians play a key role. This practical session cuts myths and offers modern strategies for symptom management, lifestyle support, and hormone therapy. Learn to recognize stages and symptoms across diverse patients, apply evidence-based treatments, and communicate effectively to empower patients. Boost your confidence and make menopause care a core strength in your practice.
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Location: Heritage Ballroom
Welcome to the GAFP Congress of Delegates — where big ideas meet bold action! This is the heartbeat of our Academy, where members shape the future of family medicine in Georgia. Join your fellow delegates to debate, decide, and drive the policies that matter most. Your voice isn’t just heard — it leads. Let’s make it count!
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Registration Closes
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