Medical Student AAFP Leaders
Elected and Appointed Positions
Medical students make significant contributions to family medicine as members of the wide variety of boards, commissions, and inter-organizational teams that shape the AAFP. Experience in a leadership role provides valuable career insight and unique mentorship opportunities.
Most medical student leadership positions serve for a one-year term, many beginning in the fall.
As medical care and health care reform undergo pivotal changes, the voice of medical students is critical in shaping a future that aligns with the core principles of primary care. Learn what drew current leaders to their roles and find out what they hope to achieve through their skills and passion for family medicine.
Elected National AAFP Leaders
Taree Michelle Chadwick
University of Nevada-Reno School of Medicine
Student Member of the AAFP Board of Directors
Contact Taree Michelle Chadwick
"My previous roles within the AAFP have given me the opportunity to hear from students across the nation on the things that matter most to them, I plan to bring that voice to the AAFP leadership making sure the future generation of family physicians is heard. I will continue advocating for the things that students are passionate about and the change they want to see happen. In the next year I hope to gain a better understanding of how the AAFP functions and how it organizes to collectively advocate for physicians and physicians in training and their patients."
Allison Smith
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Student Chair of the AAFP National Conference
"My goal is to give students the same experience I have had at National Conference. I want them to leave having grown in their networking, knowledge, and most importantly their passion for family medicine. Through collaboration with AAFP staff, students and residents, I hope to create more avenues for all students to pursue their diverse passions in family medince."
Derek Southwick
University of Washington School of Medicine
Student Delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates
"I am humbled and excited to represent the voice and interests of medical students across the nation. I will passionately defend and amplify these interests at the AAFP Congress of Delegates. I look forward to working with students from across the country to collaborate on policies that are important to you and draft resolutions that will move medicine forward in a meaningful way. My passion for family medicine runs deep to my core and am thrilled to use my voice at the COD to advocate for my peers' interests."
Araminta Ray
East Tennessee University James H. Quillen College of Medicine
Student Delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates
"I look forward to serving my peers by representing the student voice on the Congress of Delegates. I am passionate about issues regarding women’s health access, especially for rural patients. In partnership with other students and delegates, I hope to create pathways for family medicine residents to receive the training they need (including abortion care) regardless of the geographic location of their programs."
Commissions
Priyanka Kadari
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Southwestern Medical School
Student Member of the AAFP Commission on Continuing Professional Development
"Given the broad skillset of family medicine physicians, it is crucial to offer appropriate continuing medical education to hone and assess knowledge. I hope to assist in determining gaps of knowledge for members and delivering key educational materials to address them. I am passionate about mentorship and teaching overall, and I am excited to guide CME activities offered at national Family Medicine conferences such as FMX."
Darlene Adama Bio, MPH
Morehouse School of Medicine
Student Leader AAFP Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
"In my leadership role on the AAFP Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I hope to drive meaningful change and progress towards greater diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field of family medicine. My goal is to advocate for policies, practices, and initiatives that promote a more inclusive healthcare environment, ensuring that underserved communities have access to quality care and that healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds are supported and represented. Ultimately, I aim to foster a more equitable and diverse healthcare workforce and improve health outcomes for all patients."
Austen Ott
University of Minnesota Medical School
Student Member of the AAFP Commission on Federal and State Policy
"I look forward to representing the voices of future family physicians as the Student Member of the AAFP Commission on Federal and State Policy. The policy work of the AAFP and its members is essential to maintaining a diverse field of physicians who are equipped with the resources and confidence to equitably treat patients in all communities. I hope to draw attention to the forward-thinking changes that come from committed advocacy of physicians in every stage of training."
Olivia M Dhaliwal
Georgetown University SOM
Commission of Health of the Public and Science
"I hope to continue serving the Academy and its members to provide the best possible comprehensive, holistic care to patients across America. I look forward to deepening my understanding of the wide scope of topics CHIPS addresses, from vaccines to social media use."
Mikala Cessac
Georgetown University SOM
Commission on Membership and Member Services
"In this role, I hope to foster relationships with long-standing members to gain insight on the needs and interests of the AAFP. I also hope to generate excitement about getting involved in organized medicine as a medical student, as membership in organizations like the AAFP provide incredible opportunities for leadership and avenues for systemic change."
Ksenia Varlyguina
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Student Member of the AAFP Commission on Quality and Practice
Ryan Orlando
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Student Member of the AAFP Commission on Education
"Through this role, I look forward to working alongside commission leaders to strengthen the education and professional development of family physicians. I hope to utilize my perspective as a medical student to help guide the commission as it makes decisions related to increasing medical student pursuit of family medicine careers, protecting the interests of students as learners and growing AAFP student engagement. As a current teaching fellow at my medical school, I hope to provide a unique perspective to this commission while I simultaneously expand my own knowledge as it pertains to medical student and resident education."
FMIG Network Leaders
Ernie Rodriguez, M.D., M.B.A
Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine
Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Network National Coordinator
"This year, I want to continue sharing my passion for family medicine. This will entail working towards the development of a strategic plan that will carry into the future with a clear vision and the important role the FMIG Network plays in inspiring the next generation of family physicians. I look forward to creating a voice and safe space for underrepresented minorities to help promote diversity and student interest in the specialty. Lastly, I want to continue addressing the shortage of family physicians by working with the AAFP to encourage interest in the field through my involvement with the Family Medicine Champion Curriculum training program. As your National Coordinator, it is my role to help support you and your FMIG, so I invite you to contact me with any questions."
Breanna Chachere
University of Houston School of Medicine
AAFP Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Network Regional Coordinator
"My medical passions include mentorship and health equity, and it is my goal to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion in the specialty of family medicine so that academic and clinical environments are inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for underrepresented medical students (URM). In this role, I hope to expand knowledge of family medicine to URM nationally and to emphasize how this specialty, at it’s core, is a launchpad for patient advocacy through management and prevention of chronic health conditions and preventable diseases, many of which primarily affect populations of color and underserved communities. Ultimately, through the cultivation of opportunities that expose SNMA members to mentorship, networking, education and advocacy opportunities, I hope to enhance student understanding of family medicine, the AAFP, and the breadth of family practice resources that are available."
Pavit Suri
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
AAFP Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Network Regional Coordinator
"My goal is to help bring FMIG chapters within the Northeast region to a new level of excellence by 1) working with local FMIG leaders to showcase the diversity of practice in family medicine, 2) increasing medical student membership to the AAFP, and 3) boasting overall enthusiasm and commitment to this wonderful specialty."
Alison Johnston
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine-State College
AAFP Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Network Regional Coordinator
"My goal is to grow student interest in the field of family medicine by increasing collaboration between regional FMIG chapters. Through this position, I hope to share opportunities offered by the AAFP and to encourage student involvement. I’m excited to share my enthusiasm for family medicine and to build the community of medical students interested in this amazing field."
Colleen Yang
University School of Osteopathic Medicine
AAFP Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Network Regional Coordinator
"I hope to connect with FMIG leaders, learn of what FMIGs are doing across the region, assisting the FMIG leaders with resources or ideas for activities, and communicate with other AAFP leaders/staff over supporting the mission of AAFP."
Samantha Busch
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
AAFP Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Network Regional Coordinator
"My goal as one of the FMIG Regional Coordinators is to bring a sense of belonging and collaboration among students interested in Family Medicine across the Midwest region and Nationally. I hope that by facilitating this collaboration among FMIG groups, we can collectively build a stronger future for family medicine."
Representatives and Liaisons to Other Organizations
Shehani Jayawickrama
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Student Delegate to the AMA Medical Student Section
In this role, Shehani represents AAFP student interests at AMA meetings and interacts with AMA delegates from the AAFP.
"I am honored to serve the AAFP as their delegate to the AMA Medical Student Section for the upcoming year. In this role, I will advocate for the interests of medical students across the nation planning for a career in family medicine. I hope to write, support and testify for resolutions that address their concerns surrounding medical education, health equity and the practice of primary care at the interim and annual meetings of the AMA-MSS. I look forward to using my presence at these meetings to improve healthcare on behalf of my peers and patients."
Sarah Costello
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille Carver College of Medicine
Student Delegate to the AMA Medical Student Section
"In my role as AAFP delegate to the AMA-MSS I hope to provide the AAFP perspective on the many amazing resolutions and reports authored by MSS members and committees. I also hope to encourage student involvement in the AAFP policy process and foster interest in advocacy for the profession of family medicine, medical education and the health and well being of our communities. I want to use my experience as an active and engaged member of both AMA-MSS and AAFP to be a resource for students with questions about health policy, advocacy or anything else, so please don't hesitate to reach out!"
Alvaro Cortez
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Student Liaison to the Latino Medical Student Association
"As a son of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation medical student, I hope to promote interest and expand on opportunities that will motivate others to serve underrepresented communities through a career in family medicine. I look forward to strengthening the collaborative efforts between the AAFP and LMSA to support medical students, especially those who identify as Hispanic or Latino/a/x, on their path to becoming primary care physicians."
Jenny Davis
East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine
Student Liaison to the Student National Medical Association
"In my role as Student Liaison to the Student National Medical Association, I am eager to further support the relationship between SNMA members and the AAFP. I aim to do this by facilitating intentional mentorship within family medicine, cultivating collaborative and inclusive environments, expanding awareness of available resources, and increasing opportunities for firsthand exposure to the diverse field of family medicine. Additionally, I hope to further prepare all medical students to provide compassionate care to diverse communities, particularly those that have historically been medically underserved and underrepresented."
Tameka Lawrence
Ross University School of Medicine
Student Member of the AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees
Caryssa Lim, MPH
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
Student Member of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Board of Directors
"I am excited to work with the STFM Board of Directors to continue to support initiatives related to inclusive training environments, retainment of faculty of color, and innovations in curricula around anti-racism, health systems science, and equity, inclusion, and diversity. In my role, I hope to use my passion and experiences in public health, medical education, and community-centered practices to advocate for a structure of medical education that prioritizes justice, healing, and wellness for both patients and providers."
AAFP Advisory and Program Boards
Adedayo O. Jobi-Odeneye, MPH
Ross University School of Medicine
Student Member of the American Family Physician Editorial Board
Contact Adedayo O. Jobi-Odeneye
"I hope to increase medical student awareness and engagement with the AFP journal and to cultivate interest in Family Medicine research and evidence-based medicine."