The Physicians Foundation

What does it take to move from recognizing drivers of health to actually addressing them? Physician leadership—and the right infrastructure. With support from The Physicians Foundation, the Medical Society of Sedgwick County is helping #PrimaryCare clinics embed drivers of health screening into routine care, strengthen EHR data use, and build closed-loop referral pathways with community partners. Thousands of patients have already been screened, uncovering high rates of unmet social needs like #FoodInsecurity, financial strain, and transportation barriers—needs that directly affect health outcomes. By pairing physician leadership with team-based workflows and community health worker partnerships, this project is building a scalable, sustainable model for integrating social care into primary care. Learn more about The Physicians Foundation grantees: https://lnkd.in/e6A54jkG

Does supporting physicians to delivering better, more coordinated care actually save #Medicare money? A new study in JAMA Health Forum by Dr. Dhruv Khullar looked at the Medicare Shared Savings Program from 2012–2023. Here’s what it found: Medicare paid $15.8 billion in bonus payments to groups of physicians and hospitals that improved care and reduced unnecessary spending. Even after paying those bonuses, Medicare still saved between $4.3 billion and $13.4 billion overall. In short: encouraging better coordination and smarter care didn’t just improve quality — it saved taxpayer dollars. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eh69yuZw

What happens when physician leadership is paired with community-rooted solutions? We can see real progress addressing drivers of health. With support from The Physicians Foundation, Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center’s Cardiometabolic Health Initiative (CHI) is tackling #FoodInsecurity and cardiometabolic disease through community-based screenings, individualized counseling, and strong local partnerships���while also cultivating a sustainable pipeline of physician leaders. CHI has already screened hundreds of community members, uncovered a significant burden of previously undiagnosed #ChronicDisease, and helped connect patients to ongoing care—demonstrating the power of physician-led solutions to address drivers of health. Learn more about The Physicians Foundation grantees: https://lnkd.in/eTVcZW62

Early-career physicians: Ready to lead beyond the exam room? The Physicians Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 Drivers of Health Fellowship — a leadership opportunity focused on advancing physician-led solutions to food insecurity, housing instability, and other drivers shaping patient outcomes. This 12-month Fellowship includes: • $24,000 stipend + travel support • National mentorship from cross-sector experts • Leadership development in policy & care innovation • A platform to shape media and policy conversations Apply by March 17: https://lnkd.in/ehzhFn7c

New report on #ChronicDisease and #PrimaryCare out now: For adults who develop chronic disease, having a usual source of primary care lowered their odds of going to any emergency department by 11%, and of hospitalization by 20% As Ripley Hollister, family medicine physician and Board Member of The Physicians Foundation, says: “Primary care is the simple answer hiding right in front of us to aid in America’s fight against chronic disease and rising health care costs.” Read the report: https://lnkd.in/gvtnjb3q

Pediatric health doesn’t stop at the clinic door — and neither should our interventions. A new article from the American Medical Association highlights how Texas Children's Hospital (a Physician's Foundation grantee) is treating hunger like a medical diagnosis by embedding #FoodInsecurity screening and streamlined, closed-loop referrals into routine care. By reframing food insecurity as a clinical referral issue — not just a social challenge — providers are connecting families directly with SNAP enrollment support, food banks, and Food Rx nutrition programs. This model mirrors how we approach any other health condition: screen, refer, follow-up, and close the loop — with measurable impact. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ewqtUGk4

Just 3 days left to register! Join us on February 12 at 2PM ET to explore why #PrimaryCare is the simple answer hiding in plain sight in America’s fight against #ChronicDisease—and what it will take to strengthen it for the future. Register for the webinar today:  https://lnkd.in/ehSnBgQt

New research published in Health Affairs by Dr. Lisa Rotenstein and Gabe Weinreb highlights a critical—and often overlooked—reality in #PrimaryCare. The study finds that when primary care physicians reduce visit volume, total work doesn’t disappear. Instead, “hidden” EHR work per visit increases, with documentation and chart review time rising notably after patient visits are cut back. These findings raise important questions about how we define physician workload, measure productivity, and design payment and practice models that truly reflect the realities of clinical care. Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/ekFS6Xkd

One week reminder: Applications for The Physicians Foundation's Wellbeing Request for Proposals are due February 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. • Fostering Safe and Respectful Care Environments for Physicians • Supporting Physicians Transitioning to Late-Career Status and Retirement Applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s Application Portal. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/eTVcZW62

Primary care remains one of the most powerful—and underutilized—tools in America’s fight against chronic disease. On February 12 at 2 PM ET, The Physicians Foundation and Milbank Memorial Fund will host a webinar exploring the findings and policy implications of a new report on #PrimaryCare, alongside an updated Primary Care Scorecard data dashboard. Join us for a timely conversation on why strengthening primary care is essential to improving outcomes, controlling costs, and addressing #ChronicDisease nationwide. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ehSnBgQt