The LAFP extends congratulations to Armand Ntchana, MD for receiving a 2024 Family Medicine Cares Resident Service Award from the AAFP. Dr. Ntchana is a second-year resident in the Alexandria Family Medicine Residency Program. He developed the Rapides Health Project as a comprehensive health and wellness initiative aimed at improving the health of uninsured, obese residents in Rapides Parish and Central Louisiana.

The project focuses on addressing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, emphasizing weight management, nutrition, and physical activity.The project also aims to address persistent health disparities in the community, offering support to individuals who are typically underserved by traditional healthcare systems. The initiative is designed to have long-term sustainability through ongoing collaboration between The Rapides Foundation, LSU residency programs, and local community organizations. It will also include quarterly health fairs to promote the program and engage the community.

The Family Medicine Cares Resident Award is offered through the AAFP Foundation and provides $16,500 in funding to create an opportunity for first year and second year Family Medicine residents to fulfil a desire to address health disparities by tackling the health needs of the underserved in their local communities. Up to two awards are presented annually.

The award includes funding for the service project, a travel award to attend the 2025 FUTURE (formerly the AAFP National Conference) where he will present his project, and a stipend for the Alexandria FMRP to celebrate Dr. Ntchana for his work.

Please help us congratulate Armand Ntchana, MD for this valuable and needed project for Central Louisiana!