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Statement attributed to Corinne Kohler, MD, FAAFP - IAFP President
January 28, 2026
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) joins the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Medical Association (AMA) and other physician organizations in opposing immigration enforcement activity in health care settings. Physicians must practice in environments that ensure safety, dignity, and trust, not fear. We extend our deepest condolences to those impacted by the pain and trauma unfolding in Minnesota, and we stand in solidarity with our colleagues at the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians during this profoundly difficult time. Family physicians across Illinois are witnessing the real and devastating consequences of fear. Patients are delaying or avoiding care, even when they are sick or injured, because they are afraid to seek help. This climate also deeply affects family physicians practicing on visas, physicians who are essential to our health care infrastructure, who now fear indiscriminate enforcement actions that threaten their safety and ability to serve patients. We believe health care is a human right. No person should fear apprehension while seeking medical care or education. The duty to treat is sacred, and all health care workers must be able to provide care, including emergency care without interference.
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Our letter to the editor from IAFP President Corinne Kohler, MD, urging seasonal and vaccine use, especially the RSV vaccine, was published in the Chicago Sun-Times and the Champaign News-Gazette.
Alyssa Vest Hart, DO, is the Senior Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine at The Chicago School, which will begin its first class this fall. Dr. Hart is the 2020 IAFP Illinois Family Physician of the Year and previously served as program director of the Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago Family Medicine Residency Program.
Joanna Bisgrove, MD, of Chicago, did a live interview with Fox32 Chicago on Dec. 23, 2025, to discuss the rise in Syphilis cases nationwide and in Chicago. View the 12-minute segment here.
Impact of Cuts to Federal Medicaid Funding Evelyn Figueroa, MD was featured in July 1 Block Club Chicago story to illuminate the impact the cuts to Medicaid and food programs will have on health and food insecurity on the community she serves in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
Explaining and advocating for Illinois' Seasonal Vaccine Guidance, Dr. Kiran Joshi appeared live on the WBEZ Chicago Public Radio "In the Loop" show on Sept. 24 about the seasonal vaccines for all ages, including Covid vaccines. The state's Vaccine Advisory Committee recommendations largely mirrored the expert guidance of physician organizations such as the AAFP and ACOG.
AAFP Statement to ACIP, September 12. IAFP Board members also submitted similar supporting comments via the Federal Register for the ACIP meeting on September 18-19.
Board member Rebecca Maddrell, MD, was included in a Chicago Sun-Times September 11 story about the COVID vaccine availability and confusion created by policies announced by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. That same story was also posted on WBEZ, Chicago public radio. IAFP past president Michael Hanak, MD, appeared in the Chicago Tribune, the Decatur Herald & Review, and the Bloomington Pantagraph on the topic of COVID vaccines and confusion over access and eligibility.
AAFP Responds to Removal of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Members (Statement issued June 10, 2025)
Outreach to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy to protest the dismissal of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) members and to raise concerns about the transparency and process for developing vaccine recommendations.
Direct advocacy with members of Congress to urge increased oversight of HHS.
IAFP Opposes HHS decision to not recommend COVID vaccine for children and pregnant people. IAFP President Elect Corinne Kohler, MD, FAAFP was interviewed by the Chicago Sun-Times with our reaction and concerns generated by this ruling.
Federal Spending Bill Sparks Major Concern for Cook County. Mark Loafman, MD, Chair of Family and Community Medicine at Cook County Health, appears in this May 23 WBEZ story investigating the threats to County Care with the proposed federal bill that will cut billions from Medicaid funding to states and also programs in Cook County.
Celebrating the Match: Carl Lambert, Jr., MD, and past IAFP student board member Haley Bylina from the Rush Family Medicine Leadership program were featured on the WGN-TV 5 pm news on March 21 with Match Day celebrations. Watch it here.
Our IAFP Letter to the Editor from President Kate Rowland, MD, MS, supporting the residents and urging ownership to provide the financial support needed for them to continue their training, ran in the Oak Park Weds Journal and Austin Weekly News.
Thomas Huggett, MD, was featured by the University of Chicago on March 14 as one of their graduates making a difference through Street Medicine and health care for those experiencing homelessness.
Joyce Johnson, MD, was included in a WIFR-TV Rockford March 17 story reflecting on how the community came together back at the start of the COVID outbreak five years ago.
Loyola MacNeal Family Medicine Residency hosts a monthly Walk with a Doc. We went for a walk with them.
Check out the 2-minute video!