I just got official word today that I’m now a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians!
What the hell does that mean, I hear the teeming millions ask.
Well, it’s pretty meaningless in the larger scope of things. It doesn’t bring fame or fortune, or even a pay raise. I did get my boss to agree to see if he can get me use of the State Gyrocopter on occasions, but otherwise it’s a new status that really doesn’t change a damn thing in my day to day life.
But to be a Fellow, one has to meet certain criteria, chiefly in the areas of Board certification, academic training and continuing medical education, publishing and research, volunteer teaching, public service, medical practice, and service to the specialty of Family Practice. I was surprised to learn I’d fulfilled the criteria over the years. Barely. Out of 400 possible career achievement points, one needs 100 to qualify. I got 102. 
I guess I’m particularly glad because at one point, over 16 years ago, I didn’t think I’d be allowed to continue to hold a license to practice medicine at all, much less Board Specialty status and things beyond that. My troubles were all due to my alcoholism and addiction.
And when I did sober up, just getting my license restored seemed such an amazing feat (it sure took time and lawyers (and money)) that anything beyond that was pie in the sky.
But I stayed sober, and worked, and after a few years eventually was allowed to sit for my Board Certification exam. Passing that seemed to be as good as it could ever get professionally! That certificate was quite a boon in terms of making me eligible for more jobs and higher salaries. My continuing sobriety allowed me to achieve things that normal doctors achieve routinely! Huzzah!
So it is with even more amazement that I find myself a Fellow of my professional society. Most Family Physicians choose not to pursue this designation, mainly because they devote their time and energies to their practices and patients, with only a modicum of teaching and community service and research. My recovery from addiction, combined with educating medical students and residents about physicians and addiction, and other teaching and research and public service odds and ends I’ve done over the years got me here.
So that’s my brag. I’m now entitled to call myself “Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians” and I got invited to a meeting with the Surgeon General. Which I can’t make because I’m busy working, but the thought was nice.
My particular patient clientele won’t be impressed.
