As a compassionate family physician with a strong background in public health, health equity, and leadership, I am honored to seek the position of President-Elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). My journey in medicine has been fueled by a commitment to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes for all communities, particularly the underserved.
Currently, I serve as Chief Health Officer for Montgomery County, Maryland, overseeing public health initiatives that enhance the well-being of our diverse population. Previously, as Vice President of Health Equity at Aledade, I worked to eliminate disparities in primary care across the nation. These roles have sharpened my skills in strategic planning, policy development, and collaborative leadership.
My involvement with the AAFP spans over a decade, including service on the Board of Directors, the Commission on Governmental Advocacy, and as Convener of the National Conference of Special Constituencies. Through these experiences, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing family physicians today and a deeper appreciation for the power of organized medicine to drive meaningful change. Serving on the Board has strengthened my understanding of healthcare policy, refined my advocacy skills, and taught me when to lead boldly and when to support others.
If elected President-Elect, I will prioritize:
I bring to this role strong organizational skills, strategic thinking, the ability to build consensus, and a passion for advancing health equity. I am committed to leading with integrity, transparency, and a collaborative spirit to advance the mission of the AAFP and elevate the voices of our members. I aim to deepen my understanding of the diverse challenges our members face and find innovative solutions to support them in delivering exceptional care.
Continuing my service through the role of President-Elect will allow me to build on the foundation the AAFP has given me, while strengthening the connection between our members, leaders, and the communities we serve. I am committed to championing family medicine in healthcare policy, strengthening our advocacy efforts, and helping ensure that family medicine continues to thrive and evolve in the years ahead.
Serving as President-Elect is both a privilege and a responsibility that I embrace wholeheartedly. I am dedicated to leading with empathy, vision, and a steadfast commitment to creating a healthier, more equitable future for all.
a passionate family physician and community health advocate
Kisha Davis, MD, MPH, FAAFP, is a dedicated family physician and public health advocate with a passion for advancing health equity, population health, and value-based care. She is proud to serve on the Board of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and is currently the Chief Health Officer for Montgomery County, Maryland, where she leads initiatives to improve the health of diverse populations.
Dr. Davis previously served as Vice President of Health Equity at Aledade, focusing on reducing disparities in care through innovative, value-based models. She also held a prominent role as Vice Chair of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), advising Congress, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and states on Medicaid and CHIP policy. Earlier in her career, she served as medical director at CHI Health Care in Maryland and as a White House Fellow, where she worked to better align the nation’s food and health safety nets.
In addition to her leadership roles, Dr. Davis is passionate about mentoring future healthcare leaders. She serves as a preceptor for the Uniformed Services Preventive Medicine Residency and is a clinical instructor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Dr. Davis has been an active member of the AAFP, contributing to various initiatives, including serving on the Commission on Federal and State Policy, the Membership Task Force, and as the new physician member of the AAFP Board of Directors. She also convened the 2019 National Conference of Constituency Leaders. Her service extends to the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians, where she has held numerous leadership roles, including past president, board chair, and foundation treasurer.
A proud graduate of Duke University, Dr. Davis earned her medical degree from the University of Connecticut, completed her residency at the University of Maryland as chief resident, and later obtained a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Davis is a devoted wife and mother of three sons. She is the co-producer of the documentary Finding Fellowship (watch here), which explores her family and community’s unique history. She also co-hosted the medical advice podcast The Sisters Will See You Now and authored The Making of a Pearl, a biography of her grandmother that highlights the strength and resilience of her family’s legacy.
“As a family physician, Dr. Davis truly has such a tremendous depth of experience – she has cared for underserved populations as well as fought for them as an advocate and leader. She is on the forefront of developing innovative and advanced models for primary care delivery. She has truly done it all, and is in a great position to serve the Academy as President-Elect.”
My purpose is to build a better healthcare system that better serves our patients in a diverse and equitable manner. I am driven to reimagine healthcare so that we, Family Physicians, are supported, valued, and compensated to care for all our patients.
From the White House to my local community, from the AAFP to the Maryland AFP, I bring to the Board a career of servant leadership. I have been at the table and am ready to lead both inside the Academy and in government.
As the daughter of a preacher and educator I was raised to be of service to my community. I am passionate about faith, family, improving communities, physician well-being, mentoring, and and most of all making sure that whatever I touch was better because I was there.
