AAFP announces 2024 class of innovation scholars

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This year’s scholars will focus their research on “what works” in real-world approaches to Long COVID and Type 2 Diabetes.

“Research is fundamental to advancing family medicine and improving the health of our patients,” Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MD, FAAFP, president, American Academy of Physicians (AAFP) Foundation Board of Trustees, said in an organizational release.

The AAFP Foundation announced their selection of two new family physicians to join the Family Medicine Discovers Rapid Cycle Scientific Discovery and Innovation (FMD RapSDI) program. The FMD RapSDI program is a primary care research program which funds practicing family physicians to research important, complex issues in primary care and innovation in family medicine to determine “what works” in real-world primary care settings.

The program—now in its sixth year—is a collaboration between the AAFP Foundation and the DARTNet Institute to enhance innovation in family medicine through the recruitment of talented family physicians who are interested in clinical research. No previous research experience is required for FMD RapSDI Scholars, who will serve as Principal Investigators for their research projects. Scholars also receive research-related support and mentorship from the DARTNet Institute staff.

Applications for the 2025 FMD RapSDI program open on October 1, 2025, and close on January 16, 2026. Two practicing family medicine physicians will again be chosen, and supplied with up to $40,000, to establish new evidence for “what works” in real-world settings.

The 2024 program scholars

Erik S. Kramer, DO, MPH, a primary care physician and assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Colorado, Anschutz, and Boris Bayerman, DO, a primary care physician in Denver, Colorado, were announced as the 2024 FMD RapSDI scholars in an AAFP news release.

“We are proud to recognize Dr. Boris Bayerman and Dr. Eric Kramer as the 2024 FMD RapSDI scholars,” Akambase said in the announcement. “Their proposed projects have the potential to teach us more about two critical challenges facing our patients – Long COVID and Type 2 Diabetes. The Foundation is proud to partner with them and encourage this work.”

Kramer’s proposed research looks at the use of Fitbit smartwatches, diabetes self-management education and support and targeted text messages meant to inspire activity and exercise in sedentary adults with Type 2 Diabetes in primary care settings. From this research, Kramer hopes to gain insight into the potential benefits of these measures in diabetes management.

Bayerman looks to measure the impact that a virtual Long COVID symptom and functional management education course has on the self-management skills of adults living with Long COVID. Bayerman’s goal is to improve the quality of life for those living with Long COVID.