Program of Excellence Award Winners | 2024
The AAFP has named eight medical school Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs) as 2024 Program of Excellence Award winners for their exemplary efforts generating interest in family medicine. These FMIGs are chosen for their work to promote the specialty of family medicine at their medical schools and in their communities. Additionally, ten medical school FMIGs recieved awards in specific catagories. And one faculty advisor was honored with the Joyce Jeardeau Memorial Award, recognizing their exemplary support of their FMIG. Read the official announcement here.
The winning applications are posted below to facilitate the sharing of best practices and programming ideas among FMIGs nationwide.
2024 Award-Winning Applications
Overall Award Winners
The Keck Family Medicine Interest Group has an impressive portfolio of programming and initiatives and demonstrate a strong commitment to providing medical care to underrepresented communities.
This FMIG has clearly stated roles and well-defined goals and is very active in creating an environment that allows students interested in all specialties to explore the field of Family Medicine and see the breadth of the specialty.
The FMIG at the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita has a clear organizational structure with that are well-defined goals. They successfully track their FMIG with measurable and quantifiable goals.
The FMIG at UTMB has very broad programming, exemplary community work, and involvement of their third- and fourth- year students to keep all students engaged throughout their medical school career.
The University of Washington WWAMI's FMIG operation is a distributed model with FMIGs throughout the whole region, allowing them to provide a vast portfolio of opportunities for leadership and advocacy. Additionally, they have active participation throughout the entire student body, along with faculty and student support.
The FMIG at University of Wisconsin has a great foundation for professional development and/or exposure to the specialty of FM. This year they partnered with the Rural Health Interest Group to introduce “Direct Primary Care Panel Noon Talk”, a one-hour panel that provides a foundational understanding about direct primary care model practices.
The FMIG at NEOMED is providing a robust, well-rounded and diverse exposure to the scope of family medicine. Their programming is not only aligned with their mission/goals but is also innovative. This year, they introduced the “2024 Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party” to bring together students and faculty from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to share experiences and network. Their annual “Family Medicine is Like Chipotle” event focuses on M1 students during their first months of medical school.
The FMIG at Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine was recognized for their strong and well-thought-out organization. It has a fantastic variety of activities to promote the scope of practice, rural medicine, community service, leadership and professional development.
Categorical Award Winners
Excellence in Community Service
The University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine FMIG does an amazing job giving back to their community through their annual Tar Wars initiative and creative projects such as a Halloween haunted house and a carnival. Most impressive, however, is their Neighbor Island Medical Scholars Program, which provides high school students in rural areas with access to medical education and outreach programs with the goal of increasing physician retention and reducing the physician shortage.
Excellence in Impact
Oregon Health & Science University Family Medicine Interest Group
The Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine FMIG makes an impact in the specialty through community outreach opportunities, residency preparedness and career advising, connecting students with research initiatives and programming on topics such as DEI, mentorship and advocacy, as well as providing leadership opportunities.
Excellence in Exposure to Family Medicine and Family Physicians
Medical College of Wisconsin Family Medicine Student Association
The Family Medicine Student Association at the Medical College of Wisconsin hosts meet and greets, connects students with the WAFP, provides several community service opportunities and celebrates Primary Care Week with workshops, panel discussions and “speed dating” events to show students the many career paths available in family medicine.
Excellence in Promoting the Value of Family Medicine as Primary Care
Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine – Quinnipiac University Family Medicine Interest Groupe
The FMIG at Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University promotes the value of family medicine through their programming and workshops including: a series entitled “Fostering Community Health: Skill Development and Partnership with Local Experts” and a four-part series entitled “A Spectrum of Experience: Perspectives Across Generations of Family Medicine”.
Promoting the Scope of Family Medicine
University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill Family Medicine Interest Group
The University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill's FMIG hosted a series to demonstrate the role family medicine plays in providing reproductive healthcare. They also organized an "Advocacy in Family Medicine" panel to show how family physicians can advocate for underserved patients during their time in medical training and beyond.
Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville Family Medicine Interest Group
The University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville's FMIG hosted an event titled “Reconsidering Race and Medical Algorithms” during Black History Month and enlisted a guest lecturer to speak on how race-based medicine has contributed to health disparities, to show students what changes have taken place and how they can continue to advocate for patients. This event encouraged an open discussion about how students have seen or heard race-based medicine impact care.
Excellence in Innovation
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Family Medicine Interest Group
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell's FMIG organized an event titled “Introduction to Integrative Medicine” – a panel of physicians who practice integrative medicine to bring medical students to the forefront of the future of primary care. Their event hosted a family physician from California, Dr. Alex Kipp, who specializes in educating medical students, colleagues, and patients about the field.
Excellence in Programming
University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus - Family Medicine Interest Group
The University of Minnesota Medical School – Duluth Campus FMIG offered programming related to student wellbeing, OMT techniques, disability advocacy and awareness, substance use, a hospital tour, a study/resource night, panel discussions, and an event where students assembled gift baskets to show appreciation to preceptors.
First-Time Applicant
Medical College of Wisconsin – Green Bay Family Medicine Student Association
The Medical College of Wisconsin – Green Bay's Family Medicine Student organization did an excellent job advocating for primary care within their community. As first-time applicants, they showed how their Family Medicine Student organization was able to hold various activities that allowed students to get out into the community and promote family medicine.
Special Consideration Award for Newly Established FMIG
GUS Med Family Medicine Interest Group (St. Matthew’s University (SMU), Medical University of the Americas (MUA), and Saba SOM)
GUS Med FMIG is the union of three sister medical schools to create a community to foster interest in Family Medicine by sharing knowledge, resources and experiences. This FMIG is very active and innovative, offering its members a diverse learning environment, ranging from educative, professional development and community outreach.
Joyce Jeardeau Memorial Award Winner
Jennifer Raley, MD, FAAFP is the 2024 Joyce Jeardeau Memorial Award winner. Dr. Raley is a clinical professor and supports the FMIG group at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.