Dr. Wayne Strouse has had a long and varied journey to becoming President of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians (NYSAFP).
Originally from Philadelphia, Dr. Strouse graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and began his career in the U.S. Navy as a Supply Officer on a submarine. His Navy service took him from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to Richmond, Virginia, where he attended medical school. He later served as a Navy physician in Charleston, South Carolina, and Key West, Florida before completing his Family Medicine residency in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Following residency, Dr. Strouse moved to Upstate New York, where he served as Medical Director of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), taught in a rural residency program, and ultimately opened his own independent rural practice, Main Street Family Health.
A Passion for Family Medicine
When asked what originally drew him to Family Medicine, Dr. Strouse’s answer was simple:
“I always envisioned myself as a Family Doctor and as a Country Doc. It was the only way to treat patients that made sense, and I was always interested in treating the whole person. Add in treating multiple generations of a family, and I was sold.”
That commitment to caring for the whole person—and often multiple generations of the same family—continues to guide his approach to medicine today.
The Importance of Relationships
Throughout his career, Dr. Strouse has emphasized the importance of building lasting relationships with patients.
“The best doctors develop longstanding relationships with their patients, relationships that, to me, feel like extended family.”
Many of his patients have been under his care for decades, allowing him to care for multiple generations within the same family.
According to Dr. Strouse, continuity of care is one of the most rewarding aspects of Family Medicine.
Leadership and Service
Dr. Strouse has been actively involved with NYSAFP since 2007 and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) since 1992.
Over the years he has served in numerous leadership positions, including:
- President
- President-Elect
- Vice President
- Board Director
- Chair, Operations Commission
- Vice Chair, Operations Commission
- Vice Chair, Public Health Commission
His involvement in organized medicine began after attending a national leadership conference during residency, where he discovered a passion for advocacy and physician leadership.
Looking Ahead
As NYSAFP President, Dr. Strouse remains committed to advancing Family Medicine, supporting physicians across New York State, and helping address challenges facing the profession, including physician burnout, healthcare access, and public health.
He encourages students and residents interested in Family Medicine to seek mentors, become involved in organized medicine, and participate in NYSAFP activities.
“One of the best ways to do patient-centered care is to know your patient.”
NYSAFP is proud to welcome Dr. Wayne Strouse as President and looks forward to his leadership in advancing Family Medicine throughout New York State.