FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9, 2023

Media Contact:
Emily Holwick
PR Strategist
eholwick@aafp.org

LEAWOOD, Kan. — After an extensive application and review process, the American Academy of Family Physicians is excited to welcome the 2023 class of Health Equity Fellows. The AAFP Health Equity Fellowship is designed to develop family physicians into leaders who have subject matter expertise in the social, institutional, and cultural influences that impact our nation’s health. The fellowship is a vital part of the AAFP’s work to cultivate leaders across the specialty who can help facilitate change to improve access to primary care and address health inequities within their local communities. 

This year’s Health Equity Fellows are:

Elizabeth Beiter, MD, is the Associate Program Director of the Bethesda Family Practice Residency Program in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. She also serves as the population health physician champion for the residency practice. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 2006. Her capstone project is titled Improving health equity now and in the future: assessing and addressing social determinants of health and creating a longitudinal residency curriculum. 

Pablo da Silva, MD, MPH, is a second-year resident at Northwestern Family Medicine Residency at Lake Forest outside Chicago. He graduated from Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University of Chicago and completed an MPH with a concentration in Global Health Equity. His capstone project is titled Pathway to Family Medicine for Underserved Students.

Lillian Holloway, MD, is a primary care physician at Arise, a virtual startup eating disorder clinic based in Houston. She graduated from Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina in Havana, Cuba, and completed residency at The University of Illinois Chicago, where she was honored with the distinctions of Health Disparities Scholar, Global Community Medicine Scholar and Chief Resident. Her capstone project is titled You can’t fight an invisible foe! Addressing Cultural and Identity Bias in Eating Disorder Treatment. 

Erin Kavanaugh, MD, FAAFP, is the interim chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine for ChristianaCare in Delaware. She also serves as the Family Medicine Residency Program director and Co-Program Director of the Emergency Medicine/Family Medicine Residency Program for ChristianaCare. Kavanaugh graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in 2007. Her capstone project is titled Impactful Alignment of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine/Family Medicine Physicians-in-Training Workforce with the Wilmington, Delaware Community.

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome this year’s class of Health Equity Fellows. Amid a tripledemic and shifting health care landscape, addressing equity gaps in our health care system has never been more urgent,” said Margot Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Senior Vice President for Education, Inclusiveness and Physician Well-Being, AAFP. “Our fellows will be instrumental agents of positive change in their local communities and for primary care.” During the year-long fellowship, each fellow will complete a capstone project focused on translating health equity concepts into clinical practice. The fellows learn to conduct field research, present findings and gain expertise while making a real difference in the care their patients receive. They will learn from leading experts in the fields of medical education, research, public health, and health care policy, with support from mentors and AAFP staff.

During the year-long fellowship, each fellow will complete a capstone project focused on translating health equity concepts into clinical practice. The fellows learn to conduct field research, present findings and gain expertise while making a real difference in the care their patients receive. They will learn from leading experts in the fields of medical education, research, public health, and health care policy, with support from mentors and AAFP staff. 

You can learn more about the 2023 Health Equity Fellows here.
You’ll find more information about the Health Equity Fellowship Program here. 

For interview requests, contact Emily Holwick: eholwick@aafp.org.