June 30, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Cheri Tabel
(800) 274-2237, ext. 6306
ctabel@aafp.org
To strengthen the future of family medicine, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation continues to grow its year-long leadership development program: the Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute. The 30 scholars selected for the 2021 program represent the diverse communities and interests that comprise and inspire the specialty.
Those selected receive a $550 scholarship to attend the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students, which will be held virtually again this year. The scholars then continue learning and networking after the conference through additional institute programming.
“The future success of family medicine depends on the physician leaders we mentor today,” says Rebecca Jaffe, MD, president of the AAFP Foundation. “The residents and students who take part in the Emerging Leader Institute have tremendous potential, and we’re grateful for their enthusiastic interest in leadership, learning, and growing.”
Funded by family physician donors, the program 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. The program, now in its seventh year, continues to generate interest from a diverse pool of applicants.
Over the course of one year, scholarship winners receive training from volunteer faculty and work with a volunteer 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 leadership projects are evaluated, and an additional $1,000 award is given to select recipients, allowing them to present their winning projects at the 2022 National Conference. Finally, one Best Leadership Project Award will be named for each of the three tracks, and the recipient will receive an additional $3,000 award for participation in a designated major event related to the track. A full listing of the 2021 Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute Scholars is available here.