AAFP Celebrates Outstanding Family Medicine
Interest Groups

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, August 2, 2024

LEAWOOD, Kan. — The American Academy of Family Physicians has named 18 medical school Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs) as 2024 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 on-the-ground clinical experiences. They equip students with leadership skills that will help them in their future practices and communities. 

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. Through FMIGs, students also form supportive relationships with peers and mentors, which will help them throughout their career in medicine.

"Investing in our country’s future family physicians through organizations like FMIGs means we’re also investing in the future of health care. The FMIGs we honor this year have unequivocally strengthened primary care and will undoubtedly help patients and communities,” said Margot Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP, AAFP’s senior vice president, education, inclusiveness and physician well-being. “This year’s FMIG Program of Excellence Award winners are doing the incredible and rewarding work of improving our health care system and fostering the next generation of diverse primary care physicians. I can’t wait to see what they do next.”

Winners of the overall 2024 Program of Excellence Award are:

• Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California Family Medicine Interest Group
• Northeast Ohio Medical University Family Medicine Interest Group
• Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine at University of Iowa Family Medicine Interest Group
• Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine Family Medicine Interest Group
• University of Kansas School of Medicine Wichita Family Medicine Interest Group 
• University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine Family Medicine Interest Group
• University of Washington School of Medicine WWAMI Network Family Medicine Interest Groups
• University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Family Medicine Interest Group

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

• Excellence in Programming: University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus - Family Medicine Interest Group
• Excellence in Impact: Oregon Health & Science University Family Medicine Interest Group
• Excellence in Exposure to Family Medicine and Family Physicians: Medical College of Wisconsin Family Medicine Student Association
• Excellence in Promoting the Value of Family Medicine as Primary Care: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine – Quinnipiac University Family Medicine Interest Group
• Promoting the Scope of Family Medicine: University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill Family Medicine Interest Group
• Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville Family Medicine Interest Group
• Excellence in Innovation: Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Family Medicine Interest Group
• Excellence in Community Service: John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Family Medicine Interest Group
• First-Time Applicant: Medical College of Wisconsin – Green Bay Family Medicine Student Association
• Special Consideration Award for Newly Established FMIG: GUS Med Family Medicine Interest Group (St. Matthew’s University (SMU), Medical University of the Americas (MUA), and Saba SOM)

In addition, Dr. Jennifer R. Raley, MD, FAAFP was awarded the 2024 AAFP Joyce Jeardeau Memorial Award. This award recognizes a faculty advisor who is exemplary in their support of their FMIG.

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, August 1-3. 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, resources and a complete list of winners, visit the AAFP’s dedicated web page.

###