In early May, the LAAFP chapter announced to student and resident members the opportunity to receive a $750 scholarship to attend the 2016 National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students in Kansas City, July 28 – July 30. The applicants were asked to submit a letter of interest, their CV and a recommendation letter from an LA Academy member. Scholarship recipients were asked to write a brief summary on their experience. The following reports were received in time for this publication:
Rebecca Citron
Candidate for MD Degree 2017
David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
It was an immense privilege to attend the National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students in Kansas City, Missouri. Even though I knew ahead of time that the Expo Hall would be full of booths promoting residency programs, I was still overwhelmed by the sheer number of programs and people who were present. I spent almost the entirety of the conference meeting residents and faculty from various programs of interest, and still was not able to make it to all the booths I wanted in the time allotted. Nevertheless, I made the most of my time by speaking with representatives from different residency programs, and getting a feel for their strengths. This opportunity to get to know what makes each program unique was invaluable, as it has guided my residency program list. Furthermore, it has solidified what I am looking for not just in a residency program, but also in my career thereafter. After attending the conference, I am more confident than ever in my choice to pursue family medicine. Being surrounded by bright, enthusiastic, and compassionate people from all across the country who are united by their calling to family medicine makes me excited for my future.
Erin Higginbotham
Candidate for MD Degree 2017
Keck School of Medicine, USC
I was inspired and excited after leaving the AAFP National Conference this year. Never before had I been around a group of such positive, compassionate, and committed, future physicians, all of whom shared my passion for Family Medicine. It was an incredible opportunity to be able to meet with students from schools in different parts of the country and learn about how primary care and Family Medicine is growing. It was exciting to attend different lecture and workshops, all of which were interesting and useful for future practice. I was particularly pleased with the Maternal Care and Childbirth lecture, which shone light on the feasibility and need for Family Physicians to practice obstetrics and the point of care ultrasound workshop. In the Expo Hall, which showcased hundreds of Family Medicine residency programs, I was able to meet faculty and residents from many different hospitals and get to know more about the programs that I will be applying to this fall. I was so fortunate to attend this conference, not only did it reinvigorated my love of family medicine, but it helped give me knowledge and tools that I will use for years to come!
Divya Shenoy, MD, MPH
Family Medicine PGY-2
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
As a first-time attendee to the AAFP National Conference in Kansas City, I had a fantastic and unparalleled experience. I was particularly impressed by the scope and size of conference attendance and representation: over 4,000 attendees and an expo hall showcasing hundreds of booths. In the words of a fellow conference-goer, “when you look around, it’s hard to believe there’s a primary care workforce shortage.” Nevertheless, the conference drew attention to a number of very real issues facing primary care, and served to inspire all in attendance through the “Family Medicine in Motion” and “Health is Primary” campaigns.
On a more personal level, I enjoyed my day-to-day time living the National Conference life. I expanded my clinical knowledge by attending lectures and workshops on chronic pain, asthma, and dermatology. I learned about the various policy resolutions promoting health policy education and contraceptive training in primary care residency programs. I shared my residency experiences and answered questions for nearly 100 medical students from the bright pool of future family physicians. I enjoyed the CAFP reception and networking opportunities with potential employers and with residents from other programs…many, of whom, were my classmates in medical school. Overall, I look back fondly on my time spent in Kansas City, filled with great memories of friends, family medicine, and, of course, flame-grilled barbecue.
Marisa Yanez
Candidate for MD Degree 2017
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science
David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
Only one year ago, during my 3rd year Family Medicine clerkship, did I begin to consider the field of family medicine as my future. Being a latecomer to the family medicine hype, I have had to dive right in and I cannot imagine beginning the residency application process without having gone to the AAFP National Conference this year. The Exposition Hall was decorated with the hundreds of booths representing anything from companies advertising their lighted ear curettes to the residency programs themselves vying for students’ attention. I walked in with a game plan, knowing exactly which residencies I wanted to get face time with. But luckily I had the opportunity to travel with several of my classmates, whom I followed to their booths of interest. Through this system, I stumbled upon residency programs that I had not considered but that I became enchanted with, in addition to becoming more acquainted with the programs that were already on my radar. Meeting residents from programs all across the nation has undoubtedly shaped my residency application list into what it is today in addition to fueling my ever-growing excitement about a career in family medicine, and I cannot thank the CAFP Los Angeles Chapter enough for blessing me with this opportunity.
