News

February 21, 2025—STFM is seeking an individual to serve as a representative to the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA).

Ideally, the representative will understand the structure of WONCA and its activities to help STFM build and maintain connections. Applicants should have interest in global health and previous experience engaging with WONCA. We strive to have the WONCA representative attend two in-person WONCA World Conferences to enhance continuity and relationship-building.

The term as STFM's representative to WONCA begins October 1, 2025, and ends following the 2029 WONCA World Conference. If you are interested, please submit a letter of interest and CV to Sandy Van Tuyl (svantuyl@stfm.org) by April 11, 2025.

Esther Johnston, MD, MPH, is STFM's current representative and can respond to questions about the role (esthermjohnston@gmail.com). 

Dr Johnston along with members of the Collaborative on Global Health will screen applicants and share their ranked list of three recommendations to the STFM Executive Committee for approval.

The WONCA representative will represent STFM at the bi-annual, in-person WONCA World Conference and WONCA Council meetings. Virtual WONCA Council meetings are held annually between in-person meetings. It is expected that the representative will:

• Attend the World Council meeting and WONCA World Conference scientific meetings (2027 and 2029) and the virtual World Council meetings (2026 and 2028). The 2027 WONCA World Conference is in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 3–7, 2027. The 2029 dates and location will be decided this September.
• Look for opportunities to present at the WONCA World Conference.
• Engage with WONCA members/committees, particularly the WONCA Working Party on Education.
• Maintain contact with other WONCA members and committees in the intervening years to stay current with issues and official positions/actions of WONCA.
• Report annually to the STFM Board of Directors.
• Serve as the STFM lead for sharing STFM information through WONCA media outlets.

The selected WONCA representative shall be a STFM member and have a demonstrated interest in and an understanding of STFM and WONCA. STFM activities at the regional or national level, leadership in committees, subcommittees, or groups, and activities in international medical groups will be considered in the selection. STFM will also consider opportunities to connect to other STFM initiatives as appropriate. 

Fiscal note: STFM will support travel and registration expenses for its representative to attend each WONCA World Conference and the respective WONCA Council meeting up to an amount established for each trip. The interim meetings will not be supported as a rule.