Member Newsletter

NAPCRG News is an electronic member newsletter published several times throughout year. 

March 2025 Newsletter

President's Message 

Summer and the Strength of Walking Together

Dear NAPCRG Community,

It’s summer. In Europe, that means longer days, family holidays, and – for me – a much-needed moment to breathe, slow down, and reflect. As I pause for the summer break, I find myself looking back on this extraordinary year as your NAPCRG President.

When I began this role, I had one central ambition: to broaden and deepen our international collaborations. NAPCRG has long had a global spirit, but I believed we could do more – build new bridges, connect researchers across continents, and bring fresh energy to our shared mission.

And yet, much of the year brought unexpected demands. The political climate in the U.S. and its ripple effects on NAPCRG's operations, finances, and Annual Meeting required our full attention. We’ve spent a great deal of time navigating challenges, making tough decisions, and doing everything we can to hold our community together.

Even so, we haven’t lost sight of our strategic goals. Internationalization remains front and center in NAPCRG’s evolving strategy, and we’ve made real progress. We’ve had productive and inspiring conversations with organizations like WONCA, the European Forum for Primary Care, and the Global PBRN initiative. The International Committee of NAPCRG continues to be a vital partner in this work.

From those conversations, tangible next steps are emerging. We’re exploring “low-hanging fruit” in global engagement – opportunities like shared webinars, cross-national mentorship, and collaborative work within practice-based research networks (PBRNs). Together with WONCA, we’ve also begun shaping a three-year collaboration plan to expand on the strong informal ties that already exist between our communities.

One initiative I’m especially proud of is the development of a year-round educational program led by Hannah Juarez, NAPCRG’s Training Program Project Manager. With support from the ABFM Foundation, this program will include webinars, courses, and other learning opportunities – open and accessible to our members worldwide. It’s one more way we are extending our global reach while supporting our community’s growth and learning.

But for now – it’s summer!

Here in Nijmegen, the famous Four Days Marches are underway. It’s a week of endurance, camaraderie, and shared purpose. In many ways, it reminds me of NAPCRG: the long road, the strength of walking together. And just beyond that lies Umbria – my family’s summer destination. Time for race biking the hills in Italy, reading good novels, a little swim and time with the people I love.

To each of you, wherever you are in the world: thank you for being part of NAPCRG. I hope you find time this season to rest, reflect, and reconnect. And I look forward to walking beside you again – refreshed and renewed – for the important work still ahead.

With warm regards,
Tim olde Hartman, MD, PhD
President, NAPCRG

Meetings and Events

53rd Annual Meeting
November 21st-25th // Atlanta, Georgia
The Hyatt Regency Atlanta has lowered its room rate from a starting price of $199 to just $164 per night. This new rate is competitive with other accommodation options in the Atlanta area—with the added benefit of staying right where the action is. Booking at the host hotel supports NAPCRG and enhances your conference experience! Secure your room here. Please note: If you’ve already made a reservation, there’s no need to rebook, your rate will automatically be adjusted to reflect the new lower price.
We’re excited to offer a second call for papers, opening July 21 and closing August 17! Visit our website to learn more about the accepted submission categories and how to apply.
Trainee Talks: Qualitative Research
August 28, 2025 at 1:30pm CT
Trainee Talks are back! We're kicking off with a session on qualitative research in collaboration with CASFM, designed to build practical skills through an interactive, skill-based format. The first of three sessions will focus on moving “from words to meaning,” highlighting key methods in primary care research. Register here!
PaCE Tea-Time
September 11, 2025 at 1:00pm CT
What if leadership was less about being in charge and more about uplifting others? In this interactive Tea-Time with NAPCRG Executive Director Dr. Tom Vansaghi, we’ll explore servant leadership—a model rooted in empathy, humility, and service—and how it can strengthen trust, center lived experience, and foster equity in patient-clinician research partnerships. Whether or not you see yourself as a leader, this session invites you to reimagine leadership as a shared act of care. Register here! 
Save the Date: Social Participation Webinar
September 24, 2025 at 11:00am CT
Join us this September for a compelling webinar moderated by Larry Green, NAPCRG Past President, on social participation in health systems, featuring global leaders Dheepa Rajan (WHO Europe), Luiz-Felipe Barcelos (Brazil National Health Council), Ghislaine Rouly (Canada Research Chair in Partnership with Patients and Communities) and Antoine Boivin (Canada Research Chair in Partnership with Patients and Communities). Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from international voices driving change! Register here!
You can stay up to date on all information pertaining to events at NAPCRG through emails, our website, NAPCRG Connect, and social media. 

Opportunities to Engage:
Research, Scholarship, Leadership

Phillips Futures Fellowship – Applications Open
NAPCRG is proud to offer the Phillips Futures Fellowship, recognizing individuals who show exceptional creativity and potential in primary care research. Open to nominees and applicants from any discipline, nation, or career stage, this fellowship supports emerging voices and bold shifts in research focus. We especially encourage nominations of Early Stage Investigators and those pursuing a transformative new direction in their scholarly work. More information here. 

GGP & Survey School Fellowships – Deadline August 31, 2025
Applications are open for the 2025–2026 Grant Generating Project (GGP) and Survey School fellowships! GGP helps family medicine researchers build grant-writing skills and connect with peers across North America. Survey School offers expert-led training in survey methodology, with participants developing a full proposal (tuition: $4,000 USD). Find out more and apply here!

Explore NAPCRG’s Advocacy Resources!
Looking to elevate your voice in support of primary care research? Visit NAPCRG’s Advocacy Resources page for tools, guidance, and opportunities to get involved and make an impact.

Building Research Capacity (BRC) Fellowship
Applications due July 30, 2025
Don’t miss your chance to join the next cohort of BRC Fellows! The BRC Fellowship offers coaching, peer support, and strategic planning guidance to advance your program’s research capacity. Learn more and Apply today! 

AAFP FUTURES Presentation: Charting a Course into Residency and Beyond with Research
Thursday, July 31 | 1:30 PM CT
Research experience significantly boosts success in medical education and residency applications, yet many students lack access to mentorship and opportunities. In response to strong student interest at last year's FUTURES conference, this workshop—led by experienced research faculty—will offer practical strategies to enhance clinical training, strengthen CVs, and explore research-focused career paths. Please help promote this opportunity to grow your department’s research capacity and support emerging leaders in Family Medicine.


During the presentation, we will also promote the Family Medicine Research Track Database. Please take a moment to review your institution's listing and ensure the information is accurate and complete before the AAFP FUTURES conference. This is a great opportunity to showcase your department's research offerings to a motivated audience. Email any edits or additions to Shannon Robinson, srobinson@napcrg.org.

Other News

Top POEMs of 2024 Driving Better Decisions at the Point of Care
Join Dr. Roland Grad on July 30th as he highlights the most practice-changing studies of the year, curated from his and Dr. Mark Ebell's widely read American Family Physician article: "Top 20 Research Studies of 2024 for Primary Care Physicians"

Read the article: Top Research Studies of 2024 (AAFP) & Register now for the virtual event: Event Registration.

Why I Renew Membership Campaign
“Why I Renew” is a member-driven campaign inviting the NAPCRG community to reflect on the value of their membership and inspire others to renew or join. At a time when primary care research and collaboration face challenges, your continued support keeps NAPCRG a strong, vibrant home for discovery, mentorship, and global connection. Let’s celebrate what we’ve built together and show why renewing matters now more than ever.


Post your NAPCRG story on social media, tag NAPCRG, and use #WhyIRenewNAPCRG so we can amplify your message. You can also share your story in emails, newsletters, or conversations with colleagues!

Donate to NAPCRG 

Have you considered including NAPCRG in your will or estate plan? As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the U.S., NAPCRG qualifies for the tax benefits associated with charitable giving. In Canada, gifts can be directed through the CFPC to maximize tax advantages.

NAPCRG has supported you throughout your professional journey—now, you have the opportunity to give back and ensure its future impact. A planned gift is a meaningful way to pay it forward.

To learn more about making a donation, planned gift, or estate contribution, please contact Dr. Tom Vansaghi at tvansaghi@napcrg.org. 

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