June 3, 2022
As the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation looks to the future, identifying emerging leaders in the specialty remains a top priority, along with providing the extensive training these scholars need to successfully move family medicine forward.
The year-long Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute answers the need. The 2022 class, representing the specialty’s diverse communities and interests, is comprised of 30 select scholars from around the country (find the full list here).
“We’re excited to welcome these outstanding residents and medical students to the Emerging Leader Institute,” says David R. Smith, MD, MPH, FAAFP, and president of the AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees. “These scholars have demonstrated tremendous leadership potential, and we look forward to providing special mentoring and educational opportunities to help them grow.”
Selected students receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students and can continue learning and networking after the conference through additional Institute programming.
“As Vince Lombardi famously said, ‘Leaders aren’t born – they’re made,’” Smith says. “Through this annual leadership program, we help ensure that family medicine remains strong and viable for generations to come.”
Funded by family physician donors, the Emerging Leader Institute identifies and trains family medicine residents and medical students who have shown a historical aptitude and strong leadership potential but have little formal leadership training or experience. Over the course of one year, the scholars work with a mentor to complete a leadership project related to one of three tracks: Policy & Public Health Leadership, Personal & Practice Leadership, and Philanthropic & Mission-Driven Leadership. At the end of the program, the projects are evaluated and select scholars are given an additional $1,000 award to present their work at the next National Conference. One Best Leadership Project Award is named for each track, and receives an additional $3,000, supporting the scholar’s participation in a designated major event related to the track.
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.