For more than 10 years, the AAFP Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Network has recognized FMIGs with the Program of Excellence Award for their efforts to stimulate student interest in family medicine and family medicine programming.
FMIGs are active at nearly every medical school across the country. The Program of Excellence Award aims to celebrate the contributions these groups make to the specialty of family medicine by honoring a variety of applicant types. Some programs have an established record of high achievement and strong advising and support, while other programs may be new to their campus or have a defined area of focus throughout the year. The AAFP is proud to recognize the unique achievements of all such FMIGs through the Program of Excellence Award.
Program of Excellence Award winners are recognized each year at the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students in Kansas City. All FMIG leaders and members from award-winning FMIGs are invited to the stage during the FMIG Network breakfast and presented with a plaque to display back at school.
Additionally, two winning schools receive a $600 cash prize each.
Prize winners will be selected by a panel of judges reviewing blinded applications.
Family medicine interest groups are eligible to apply if:
An interest group does not need to be called an FMIG to be considered for an award, but its primary mission must be to promote and educate students on family medicine.
To win a Program of Excellence Award, an FMIG must demonstrate that it is well-rounded with competency in a number of key areas, including:
The FMIG must also illustrate significant changes or enhancements -- what was learned from the previous years' activities, what new innovations have been or will be developed, and what elements of programming were modified to meet the needs of members.
Awards are given in two segments:
Each FMIG may apply for an overall or a special consideration/categorical award. Applicants for the overall award that are not chosen as overall winners are eligible for special consideration/categorical awards at the discretion of the Program of Excellence Award judging panel. Applicants for special consideration/categorical awards are not eligible for overall awards. The application form must be used for submission. Any other formats will not be accepted.
To apply for a PoE Award, choose either the Overall or Categorical application form below and follow the instructions in the form. It is highly recommended that all writing and editing be completed in a shared document (like a Google Document) or in Word, especially if multiple people are contributing to or reviewing the application material. This approach will prevent any information from being lost in the event that changes to the application PDF do not properly save. When all writing is complete, transfer the information into the appropriate application form and submit.
Applications are accepted each year from January to April. The application forms are linked below. FMIGs who intend to apply may wish to use the forms to help them keep track of the efforts they wish to highlight as they occur.
Click here to download the Overall Awards application form.
Click here to download the Categorical Awards application form.
*Qualifying international medical schools are: Ross University School of Medicine, Barbados; St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada; American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Saint Maarten; American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Antigua and Barbados; Saba University School of Medicine, Saba; University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts; Saint James School of Medicine, Anguilla, and Bonaire/Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Medical University of the Americas, St. Kitts and Nevis; Windsor University School of Medicine, St. Kitts and Nevis; University of Guadalajara, Mexico; American University of Integrative Sciences School of Medicine, Saint Maarten/Barbados; and Trinity School of Medicine, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Email poe@aafp.org.