Born in Kansas, I grew up hearing “Ad Astra per Aspera” (to the stars, through difficulty). The Kansas motto refers to the pioneering spirit of the early settlers and acknowledges difficult times on the way to becoming a state. With every journey there are tricky bits; times when the pieces don’t fit together nicely and you have to rearrange your travel plans to reach your destination. Leadership has been my journey, and I find that those tricky bits are the places on the trip I learn the most. My guiding star is family medicine, reflecting the strength and diversity of our membership and shining a light on the critical importance of excellent primary care for our patients. My destination on this leg of the trip is the AAFP board of directors, and though there may be difficulty, I am thrilled to begin the journey. #AdAstraBrull
Dr. Jen Brull is a family medicine physician who served her community in Plainville, Kansas for 20 years before transitioning to her current role as Vice President for Clinical Engagement at Aledade, where she now helps independent primary care practices learn how to deliver value-based care. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed family medicine residency training in Topeka, Kansas. She served two years (2013-2014) as an HIT Fellow for the Office of the National Coordinator and was recognized as a Hypertension Control Challenge Champion by the CDC in 2014. She was named as a Top 25 Innovator by Modern Healthcare in 2019 and is a physician leader in performance improvement and change management.