FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 28, 2025
Contact:
Celia Searles
AAFP Public Relations
csearles@aafp.org
LEAWOOD, Kan.—The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation announced the 30 new scholars in the 2025 class of the Emerging Leaders Institute. This program trains family medicine residents and medical students to sharpen their leadership skills and help drive the specialty forward.
As participants in this program, scholars will pursue one of three tracks during the year-long program; Policy and Public Health Leadership, which prepares scholars for a career focusing on public avenues for change in community and government settings; Personal and Practice Leadership, which strengthens practice management skills for emerging physicians; or Philanthropic and Mission-Driven Leadership, which focuses on how philanthropic community efforts can improve community health and address social justice priorities. Scholars are paired with a family physician mentor for guidance and support. Recipients received a $1,000 scholarship to attend this year’s FUTURE conference and the Emerging Leader Institute.
“We’re delighted to welcome the Emerging Leaders Institute class of 2025. These outstanding leaders share our commitment to advancing family medicine in every arena,” said Dr. Jay-Sheree Akambase, AAFP Foundation president. “I’m excited to see the ways they will enrich the specialty, both during their time as scholars and throughout their careers.”
The program is now in its eleventh year and amplifies the voice of future family physicians. Applications for next year’s class start January 1, 2026. For more information on the program and application requirements, visit the AAFP Foundation website.
Adedolapo Adedayo, MD
Connor Belcher
Milan Brooks
Se Yun “Scarlett” Cheon
Allison Franklin
Megan Gilroy, MA
Christopher Hernandez Salinas
Aman Kalra, MD
Natalie Sanchez Farez
Neriah Sosa
Nicole Diaz
Clarice Douille
Chinemere Ekezie, MD
Hannah Harris
Kristopher LaTour, MD, MPH
Sherrice Law
Allincia Michaud, MD, MPH
Sabeen Rokerya, MPH
Beverly Sayasouk, MA, MS
Michaela Usha, BEI-Master, NIC
Saramarie Azzun, BS
Gabriella Bailon
Jason Denoncourt
Brayden Gaston
Jessica Kunzman
Claire Namboodri, MD
Yashwanth Ramineni Damodhar, MD
Michaela Reinhart
Holly Vu
Kayla Zimmerman
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The Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Its mission is to advance family medicine through philanthropy using humanitarian, educational, and scientific programming to improve health. For more information visit aafpfoundation.org.