During the Spring 2025 Resolution Forum, the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) received a resolution to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This resolution reflects the shared responsibility of family physicians to respect and embrace the differences among patients, colleagues and communities. The resolution was filed for information, but the MAFP remains dedicated to promoting equity, advancing quality health care for all and addressing the personal and societal barriers that prevent individuals from achieving their best health.
As we reflect on what it means to truly live out these principles in clinical practice, we are honored to share the perspective of longtime MAFP member Chris Reif, MD, MPH, who offers a powerful and personal account of why DEI must be at the heart of everything we do in family medicine.
I recently retired as a family doctor after practicing in Minneapolis and St. Paul for 45 years. I grew up in St. Cloud, completed my undergrad at St. John’s and then graduated University of Minnesota Medical School. DEI — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — has guided me in becoming a better physician over my entire career.
DIVERSITY
Diversity is at the core of daily practice. My patients were men, women and genderqueer; white, Black, Native and Latinx; recent immigrants, past immigrants and Native Americans; Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian. Each person is different, and each person has their own health story. Diabetes is a very different disease for a middle-class professional person, a pregnant immigrant from Africa and an unhoused man living on the street. My job is to listen, learn and help find the best care amidst all the diversity.
EQUITY
Life does not treat people equally. Life has not been easy for many of my patients. Many come with a backlog of health problems. Many have ongoing obstacles to good health – no insurance, low wages, often under resourced neighborhoods and racism. Our clinical challenge is to work with our patients to address those obstacles and bring their health to the fullest potential.
INCLUSION
Many of my patients have been left out of the full benefits of Western medicine. Some have not been treated well. Some speak languages other than English. Some have felt disdain from medical providers because of their cultural practices. Many have had minimal education on how the body and mind work. Our job at our clinics is to welcome everyone — and to offer them service in their language and to be respectful of their culture. To be inclusive, we employ people of different languages and backgrounds and honor each patient’s journey to health.
Simply put: to be a good physician, I need to be good at DEI. For my patients to achieve their best health, my clinic needs to offer the best DEI. For our students to become good doctors, we need to model and teach professional DEI. Our professional organizations need to lead as champions of everyday DEI.
Minnesota has great health opportunities — now we must ensure just and caring health for every person and every community.
In Solidarity,
Dr. Chris Reif
Reif’s words are a powerful reminder that diversity, equity and inclusion are not just ideals. They are daily practices that shape how our members care for patients and support one another. The MAFP remains committed to advancing equity in health care and amplifying the voices of family physician members who lead by example.
Learn more about the MAFP’s ongoing efforts in Health Equity.
