TAFP members elected to national leadership roles at AAFP’s NCCL

Samantha White
April 30, 2025

Several TAFP members were elected to key leadership roles during AAFP’s recent National Conference of Constituency Leaders.

Kenneth Barning, MD, was elected as the IMG co-convener and Member Constituency Alternate Delegate, representing International Medical Graduates. Barning practices in the Houston area and is an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, as well as an associate clerkship director for the Family and Community Medicine Clerkship.

Kenneth Barning, MD, flanked here by TAFP President-Elect Ike Okwuwa, MD, on the left and TAFP President Lindsay Botsford, MD, MPH, on the right, was elected as the IMG co-convener and Member Constituency Alternate Delegate.

Joaquin Villegas, MD, MPH, was elected as the BIPOC co-convener and Member Constituency Alternate Delegate, representing the Black, Indigenous, and people of color constituency (formerly known as the minority constituency). Villegas practices in the Houston area and is an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UTHealth Houston’s McGovern Medical School.

Joaquin Villegas, MD, MPH, flanked here by TAFP President-Elect Ike Okwuwa, MD, on the left and TAFP President Lindsay Botsford, MD, MPH, on the right, was elected as the BIPOC co-convener and Member Constituency Alternate Delegate.

Both leaders will play a central role in planning and facilitating next year’s conference, while also serving as Alternate Delegates to the AAFP Congress of Delegates this year. In 2026, they will advance to Delegate roles within the Congress.

Additionally, Prachi Thapar, DO, of Flower Mound, was elected to serve as AAFP’s Delegate to the Young Physicians Section at the American Medical Association. Thapar previously served as AAFP’s Resident Delegate to the AMA.

Prachi Thapar, DO, flanked here by TAFP board member Sarah Ashitey, MD, on the left and Astrud Villareal, MD, on the right, was elected to serve as AAFP’s Delegate to the Young Physicians Section at the American Medical Association.

“TAFP is proud of these members for their service and dedication,” said TAFP Executive Vice President/CEO Tom Banning. “Their election to national leadership roles proves our members' commitment and willingness to take on the challenge of shaping the future of our health care system.”