Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – The Arkansas Academy of Family Physicians (ARAFP) installed Dr. Amanda Deel as its newest president of the board at a dinner ceremony held last Friday evening in North Little Rock that took place as part of the organization’s annual Scientific Assembly. 

Deel, who serves as the Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM at A-State) in Jonesboro, will serve a one-year term for ARAFP, which serves as the state chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

“I can’t think of a better person to represent ARAFP than Dr. Deel,” said Dr. Shane Speights, dean of NYITCOM at A-State and an active member of ARAFP and AAFP. “She’s a born-and-raised rural Arkansan and veteran who has committed her life to serving our state through the practice of medicine and the training the next generation of physicians. She is the model of a full-scope family physician, one that sees patients with a full range of ages and conditions and has an extensive obstetrics practice. What better time than now to represent what family medicine means? Our institution couldn’t be more thrilled to have her serve in this role.”

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With over 1,450 members, the ARAFP is the state’s largest medical specialty organization and includes practicing physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students. The ARAFP was founded to promote and maintain high-quality standards for family doctors who provide comprehensive health care to the public.

The ARAFP Board of Directors is made up of physicians from all over Arkansas. The board meets quarterly to discuss Arkansas medical news, legislative happenings, and membership-related items. Among the organization’s stated goals: provide advocacy for and education of patients and the public in all health-related matters; preserve and promote quality cost effective health care; promote the science and art of family medicine and to ensure an optimal supply of well-trained family physicians; and promote and maintain high standards among physicians who practice family medicine.

“Family medicine is facing significant challenges, and we are fortunate to have a leader like Dr. Deel who meets those challenges with courage, vision and resolve,” said Mary Beth Rogers, executive director of the ARAFP. “Amanda is a changemaker who leads with humility, compassion and the heart of a family physician. The Arkansas Academy of Family Physicians is fortunate to have her at the helm, guiding us through the important work ahead.”

A native of New Edinburg, Deel joined NYITCOM at A-State in 2015 as an inaugural faculty member for the new campus, which welcomed its first class a year later. In addition to her academic roles at NYITCOM, Deel practices family medicine and obstetrics at NYITCOM’s on-campus medical clinic and at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Deel is the first osteopathic physician (D.O.) to serve as the ARAFP board president. Her role with the ARAFP is one of many leadership positions Deel holds. She currently serves on the Arkansas Maternal Morbidity Mortality Review Committee and in 2025, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed her to the state’s Graduate Medical Education Residency Expansion Board.

“I have had the privilege of seeing Dr. Deel’s leadership in action, from her enthusiasm for developing the next generation of physicians, to her advocacy for policies that protect mothers and babies, to her steadfast belief that family medicine must remain the cornerstone of our healthcare system,” Rogers said. “What distinguishes Amanda is the alignment between her convictions and her actions. She shows up, does the work and inspires others to join her.”

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