Become a Family Medicine Champion and earn free CME

Presenters:

• Renee Crichlow, MD, FAAFP
• Margot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP

Learning objectives:

• Define family medicine with a positive outlook and passion in order to inspire the next generation of family physicians.
• Describe the scope of practice of a family physician.
• Identify practice styles and settings for family physicians.

Description:
This module introduces family medicine as a comprehensive specialty defined by first-contact, continuous, coordinated and comprehensive care. It highlights the breadth of practice—treating patients of all ages, genders and organ systems—and emphasizes how family physicians serve communities of all sizes, often caring for underserved populations and providing essential primary care.

Presenters:

• Cleveland Piggot, MD, MPH
• Frank Animikwam, MD
• Jennifer Bacani McKenney, MD, FAAFP
• Kelly Thibert, DO, MPH
• Nailah Adams Morancie, MD, MS, CAQSM
• Tate Hinkle, MD, MPH, MS
• Victoria Otano, MD

Learning objectives:

• Describe what family physicians do.
• Describe why family physicians choose their path.
• Envision and share diverse and individually customized careers in family medicine.

Description:
Through real-life stories and data from AAFP members, this module depicts a typical week in family medicine and the wide variety of roles family physicians play. It showcases career diversity in fields such as academic medicine, administration, sports medicine, rural and global health and more—highlighting the profound impact family physicians have on individuals and communities.

Presenter:

Tochi Iroku-Malize, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAFP

Learning objectives:

• Describe the educational requirements and steps to obtain a career in family medicine.
• Describe the training family physicians receive in residency and how it prepares them to adapt throughout their careers.

Description:
Learners explore the rewarding yet demanding journey toward a career in family medicine, from medical school through residency. The module underscores self-care, well-being and the evolving residency requirements designed to prepare future physicians for a flexible, lifelong career in a changing health care environment.

Presenter:
Lauren Hughes, MD, MPH, MSc, MHCDS, FAAFP

Learning objectives:

• Describe how health care systems work.
• Explain why family medicine is integral to the future of health care.
• Address myths.

Description:
This module offers an overview of the U.S. health care system—its structure, financing and coverage models—and explains family medicine’s central role in building sustainable, patient-centered systems. It also addresses common misconceptions about the specialty and emphasizes physician well-being and the value of family medicine in health care reform.

Presenters:

• Stacy Bartlett, MD
• Julie Gilbert

Learning objectives:

• Demonstrate a baseline understanding of personal finance for students.
• Understand the financial implications of a career in family medicine and how to find financial support.

Description:
Students gain essential financial literacy skills, including managing educational debt and planning for a stable future. The module dispels myths about family medicine income by noting that family physicians’ average earnings place them among the top 6% of U.S. households, and provides tools and resources for financial planning.

Presenter:
Julie Gilbert

Learning objectives:

• Identify at least two federal programs that offer financial support.
• Demonstrate how to research state and local programs that offer financial support.
• Explain why students can be confident in the financial future of a career in family medicine.

Description:
This session guides students in finding and utilizing financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, grants and loan repayment programs. It encourages building relationships with financial advisors and reinforces that family medicine offers a secure and rewarding financial future despite the costs of medical education.

Presenter:
Yalda Jabbarpour, MD

Learning objectives:

• Define primary care in health professions.
• Differentiate primary care medical specialties.
• Describe the role and impact of various health professions that contribute to the primary care workforce.

Description:
The module clarifies that primary care is a type of care—not a specific specialty—characterized by being first-contact, continuous, comprehensive and coordinated. It presents evidence showing that strong primary care systems lead to better outcomes, patient satisfaction and reduced costs, positioning family medicine as the foundation of effective health care.

Presenter:
Yalda Jabbarpour, MD

Learning objectives:

• Describe the unique role and value of various health professionals in primary care.
• Describe the difference between medical specialties in primary care.
• Advocate for the importance of family medicine in the health care landscape and exude confidence about its relevance and future.

Description:
This module emphasizes the critical need for family physicians, who deliver more primary care than any other specialty. It advocates for the specialty’s significance, highlighting strong employment prospects and the essential role family physicians play in ensuring access to quality, comprehensive care for all.

Presenter:
Christen Johnson, MD, MPH

Learning objectives:

• Identify Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and how family physicians can screen for needs.
• Identify the factors that have the greatest impact on health outcomes and the primary drivers of health inequities.

Description:
Focusing on health equity, this module explores how family physicians can recognize and address SDoH to improve patient and community outcomes. It highlights their leadership in treating diverse populations, dispels myths about the specialty and showcases practical tools for combating inequities at both the clinical and community levels.

Presenters:

• Anna Feng
• Ernie Rodriguez, MBA
• Olivia Dhaliwal, MD
• Jonathan Feng
• Rafay Nasir, MD
• Taree Chadwick, MD

Learning objectives:

• Describe common career considerations for high school, college and medical students.
• Use questions to uncover student aspirations, desires, concerns and barriers.

Description:
This module helps mentors understand and support students’ career interests and motivations. It offers guidance for addressing barriers, identifying role models and mentors, and fostering confidence in exploring varied, fulfilling family medicine career paths.

Presenters:

• Leon McCrea II, MD, MPH
• Kameron Leigh Matthews, MD, JD, FAAFP

Learning objectives:

• Define who is underrepresented in medicine (URM).
• Describe the systemic challenges and barriers that disproportionately impact students from URM backgrounds.

Description:
Participants learn about the importance of recruiting and supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine. The session explores systemic barriers and stresses intentional outreach to build a more diverse, equitable family medicine workforce.

Presenter:
Janet Nwaukoni, DO

Learning objective:
Describe how to access basic resources and support.

Description:
This final module teaches how to connect students—at all stages of education—with mentorship, guidance and learning opportunities. It includes leveraging social media and professional organizations to promote awareness and engagement in family medicine.

Program modules include:

• What is Family Medicine?
• A Week in the Life of a Family Physician
• The Educational Path to Family Medicine
• The Future of Family Medicine (or The Business of Medicine)
• Personal Finance: Medical School Costs, Student Debt, Salaries and Income
• Finding Financial Support
• Defining Primary Care and Understanding Primary Care Medical Careers
• Workforce Projections and the Need for Family Physicians
• Family Medicine’s Role in Striving for Health Equity
• Understanding Student Aspirations
• Supporting Underrepresented Students To Build Workforce Diversity
• Connecting Students With Resources and Support—Mentorship Skills

Family Medicine Champions is a self-guided program. Each of the 12 modules takes a maximum of one hour to complete. We recommend a pace of completing three modules per month.

Just a commitment to family medicine and a desire to inspire others.

There are monthly virtual review and discussion sessions for cohort participants to help share what you learn and facilitate networking. More details are provided upon registration.

Have questions about the program? Curious about what you can do to support the next generation of family physicians? Contact:

Sara Davis
sdavis@aafp.org
(913) 906-6255