Dr. Dan Derksen

Daniel Derksen, M.D., professor and chair of the public health policy and management section at the University of Arizona’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, has been appointed Chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Commission on Governmental Advocacy for 2013-14.

AAFP represents more than 110,000 family physician, resident, and medical student members in the U.S. The scope of work of the Commission on Governmental Advocacy includes health system reform, expansion of health care coverage, state/federal legislation, public policy, governmental regulations, regulatory agencies, grassroots efforts, and governmental workforce programs.

In the appointment letter, Jeffrey Cain M.D., AAFP President wrote, “The quality of your prior service on the Commission on Governmental Advocacy was noted by the Board. It is through dedicated efforts of family physicians such as yourself that the American Academy of Family Physicians can be strong and healthy to better serve its members.”

Dr. Derksen is the Walter H. Pearce Endowed Chair and director of the Center for Rural Health, at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health.