• AAFP Celebrates Outstanding Family Medicine Interest Groups

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 28, 2023 

    Contact: 
    Adrieanna Norse
    Public Relations Coordinator
    anorse@aafp.org

    LEAWOOD, Kan. — The American Academy of Family Physicians has named eight medical school Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs) as 2023 Program of Excellence Award winners. These FMIGs are chosen for their work to promote the specialty of family medicine at their medical schools and in their communities.

    FMIGs are medical school-sponsored, student- and faculty-run organizations that give students a chance to learn more about the specialty of family medicine through workshops, leadership development, community service and clinical experiences. They equip students with leadership skills that will help them in their future practices and communities. Through FMIGs, students also form supportive relationships with peers and mentors.

    The Program of Excellence Awards recognize FMIGs for their efforts to promote interest in family medicine careers at a time when family physicians are in especially high demand for their comprehensive primary care expertise.  

    "When we invest in our country's future family physicians, we invest in the future of health care. Through professional development, innovative programming, and community service, the FMIGs we honor this year have unequivocally strengthened primary care," said Margot Savoy, MD, MPH, AAFP senior vice president, education, inclusiveness and physician well-being. "This year's FMIG Program of Excellence Award winners reflect what it means to be a family physician: resilient, determined and committed to fostering the next generation of diverse primary care physicians."

    Winners of the overall 2023 Program of Excellence Award are:

    • University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine Family Medicine Interest Group
    • University of Washington WWAMI Family Medicine Interest Group
    • University of Kansas School of Medicine Wichita Family Medicine Interest Group
    • Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California Family Medicine Interest Group
    • Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine Family Medicine Interest Group
    • University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus Family Medicine Interest Group
    • Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine at University of Iowa Family Medicine Interest Group
    • University of Colorado School of Medicine Family Medicine Interest Group

    This year’s AAFP Program of Excellence Awards also acknowledge excellence in specific categories:

    • Award for Excellence in Community Service: St. James School of Medicine Family Medicine Interest Group
    • Award for Excellence in Professional Development: Oregon Health & Science University Family Medicine Interest Group
    • Award for Excellence in Exposure to Family Medicine and Family Physicians: Northeast Ohio Medical University Family Medicine Interest Group
    • Award for Excellence in Promoting the Value of Family Medicine as Primary Care: John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Family Medicine Interest Group
    • Award for Promoting the Scope and Diversity of Family Medicine: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine Quinnipiac University Family Medicine Interest Group
    • Award for Excellence in Mentorship: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Family Medicine Interest Group
    • Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Windsor University School of Medicine
    • Award for Excellence in New Events: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine - Flint Family Medicine Interest Group
    • Award for First-Time Applicant: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine Family Medicine Interest Group

    This year’s winners were honored during the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students, which took place in Kansas City, Missouri, July 27-29. The annual event provides opportunities to network with residency programs and other students and residents, hear from family medicine leaders and participate in practical education sessions.

    The AAFP publishes winning applications to share best practices and innovative programming ideas with other FMIGs and family medicine educators nationwide. For program details and resources, visit the AAFP’s dedicated web page.

    A complete list of winners can be found on AAFP’s website

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    About American Academy of Family Physicians
    Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.