2024 FMM PLENARY SESSIONS

Opening Plenary - Friday October 18, 2024

From Advocacy to Action: Navigating Unexpected Paths in Family Medicine, Public Health, and Addiction Medicine

Presented by Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, MD, MPH

During this session, Dr. Salisbury-Afshar will share how her advocacy experiences as a medical student inspired her to pursue a career in family medicine, and subsequently in preventive medicine/public health. While completing public health training in Baltimore, she witnessed a dramatic rise in overdose rates, prompting her to shift her career focus toward expanding access to evidence-based services to combat the overdose epidemic. She will describe how understanding community need can pave the way to unexpected and rewarding career paths.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how understanding community needs can direct one’s career trajectory.
• List at least 2 ways to be involved in advocacy efforts as a physician.

About Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, MD, MPH

Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Community Health and Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin. She is the Program Director of the Preventive Medicine Residency and core faculty for the Addiction Medicine Fellowship. She also serves as the Medical Director of Harm Reduction Services for the Wisconsin Department of Human Services, Division of Public Health.  Dr. Salisbury-Afshar is board certified in family medicine, preventive medicine/public health and addiction medicine and her expertise lies at the intersection of these fields. Her work has focused on primary care-behavioral health integration and expanding access to evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction services.

Saturday Plenary - October 19, 2024

Building an Inclusive Practice: My Journey in Family Medicine

Dr. Hidde discovered transgender medicine during college and medical school, sparking a deep interest. Throughout her residency and early career, she developed a practice focused on gender-affirming care, including for kids and teens. We will walk through Dr. Hidde's journey in Family Medicine, with a focus on how to build an inclusive practice. 

Learning objectives:

• Develop Skills in Comprehensive and Inclusive Primary Care: Learners will understand the integration of gender-affirming care into family medicine, including strategies for managing transgender health needs in both adult and pediatric populations, and how to create an inclusive practice that supports diverse patient needs.
• Utilize Telemedicine for Gender-Affirming Care: Learners will explore the benefits and implementation of telemedicine in providing gender-affirming care, including overcoming barriers related to access and insurance, and how virtual visits can enhance patient care and accessibility.
• Build and Foster Referral Networks for Specialized Care: Learners will gain insights into effectively building referral networks and collaborating with specialists to support comprehensive care for gender-diverse patients, including how to navigate and expand professional networks within local and broader healthcare systems.

About Melissa Hidde, MD, MPH, FAAFP 

Dr. Melissa Hidde is a dedicated family physician with a specialized focus on gender-affirming care. Raised in a small town in central Wisconsin, Dr. Hidde completed her college education and medical school at the University of Wisconsin Madison. She discovered a passion for transgender medicine and has cultivated this interest through medical school, residency, and her professional practice. Dr. Hidde currently practices at Bellin Health in Green Bay, where she integrates inclusive care into her family medicine clinic. She is known for her commitment to accessible care, leveraging telemedicine to reach underserved patients and continuously expanding her professional network to support gender-diverse communities. As a Wisconsin native, Dr. Hidde is an avid fan of the Packers and Badgers.