Richard D. Feldman, M.D. Student and Resident Essay Contest

The contest is open to medical students and residents.

Selected winners must agree to the use of their essay in both the CHFM archive and in promotional materials such as the AAFP Foundation website.

Non-winning applicants may apply more than once, provided they still meet all eligibility criteria listed above.

1. Only one entry may be submitted per applicant.
2. The essay may be on any historical subject related to Family Medicine in the United States. The subject of the historical essay may have national, state, or local relevance. Examples of topic areas include, but are not limited to:
   • development of the specialty of Family Medicine
   • the contributions of a particular individual to the specialty
   • a medical or medical-political controversy within family medicine
   • the impact of social or political change on the specialty
   • documentation of the day-to-day work of a family physician (such as a narrative, written reminiscence, or interpretation of a diary)
   • family physicians’ response to a disease, medical condition, or public health problem.
3. The essay should be written in American Medical Association (AMA) style of format. It should not exceed 3,750 words and must be double-spaced with a 12-point font with minimum 1-inch margins, exclusive of reference listing.
4. The paper must not be submitted to, or published by, any journal or entered in any other contest prior to submission to the CHFM Essay Contest or during the selection process. Essays that are not selected as winning essays in this competition may be submitted to other contests/publications after the winners are announced.
5. All entries must be written in English, by the applicant. Essays written with AI assistance are not eligible.
6. Essays not meeting all requirements will not be accepted.

We encourage all to apply and are committed to developing scholarly essays relevant to the history of Family Medicine in the United States by medical students and residents who reflect the rich diversity of the specialty and the patients served.

The application period opens on August 15 and closes on November 1. For questions, please contact Kelly Heide or call (913) 906-6031.

To complete the online application process, please include with submission the following items:

• A PDF copy of your completed essay
• A PDF copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé.

Applications open on August 15, 2026.

All completed applications and supporting materials will be reviewed by the Student and Resident Essay Selection Subcommittee of the Board of Curators of the Center for the History of Family Medicine, consisting of distinguished family physicians, educators and leaders in the specialty. The Subcommittee will make the final selection of the Fellow, subject to the approval of the Board of Curators and the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.