Be a Family Medicine Champion

Family physicians have no limits on who we can see, which means there are few limits on where we can practice!
We can treat patients of any age and gender, which means we can fill the gaps in communities that lack pediatricians and OB/Gyns.

You’re in a great position to promote family medicine directly to the next generation in your community! 
Here are just 9 reasons to choose family medicine (courtesy of AAFP). We know you have more! 

AAFP’s Family Medicine Champions is an ideal community engagement opportunity for medical students, FMIGs, residency programs, practicing physicians and even Life members can share their experiences.

• Visit the local university Health Professions Club
• Visit your local high school with a Future Doctors Club or other Health Professions organization or learning track
• Does your local school have a Career Fair?

Here are the facts from AAFP that you can print and share

What is Family Medicine?
Balancing Medical School Debt with Family Physician Career  
Finding Financial Support 
Connecting students with Support & Mentorship

Power Point presentations:

The Education Path to Family Medicine

The Business of Health Care (recommended for University and Medical School audiences) 

Financial Considerations: Debt and Income

You have the stories!

• Your own journey, when you decided to be a doctor
• What medical school is/was like
• Why family medicine is right for you
• What you love about family medicine
• What YOU DO in family medicine
• What’s possible in family Medicine

How do you get started?  Contact your local school!

How can you let us know? Fill out this easy reporting form so we can track who’s using FM Champions and where.
We’d love any photos you can share!  Submit a form for each presentation you make.

Post on social media and tag us! @IllinoisAFP on Twitter/X and Instagram!

Here are some great family physician stories from recent media!
Dr. Randy Oliver 39 Years in Metropolis (Metropolis Planet)
Dr. Deborah Edberg featured in Chicago Medicine Magazine

Dr. Rene Roberts at Oak Street Health
Dr. Evelyn Figueroa and caring for migrants sent to Chicago from the Mexican border
Dr. Tabatha Wells, Direct Primary Care (podcast)
Dr. Amro Elsharoud FM and Obstetrics in Rural Illinois (radio interview)

Links to first-hand experiences shared by Illinois family physicians

What Can You Do with Family Medicine? (recorded 5/16/2024) Featuring four Illinois family physicians with unique jobs where family medicine training is ideal! 

Careers in Caring for Older Adults (Recorded Feb. 13, 2024)