Alast Ahmadi, MS
MD Candidate 2021, David Geffen School of Medicine
University of California, Los Angeles
Attending the AAFP National Conference for the first time was a unique opportunity for me as I begin my 3rd year rotations. It was a reminder that as medical students we can be strong patient advocates while still learning clinical medicine. During the conference I learned about diversity of opportunities within family medicine, started building a network with people passionate about the field, and explored ways to get involved with advocacy.
One of the highlights of the conference was student congress sessions during which I learned about the AAFP parliamentary procedures, participated in reference committee hearings, and explored leadership opportunities. It was inspiring to see medical students from all over the country coming together to develop resolutions and debate important topics such as denouncing race-based medicine, universal healthcare, food insecurity, and access to gender affirming care. Some of the other highlights of the conference for me were talking to residency programs, panel discussion on opportunities to advance health equity, and the wilderness medicine workshop.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have attended AAFP National Conference, with scholarship funds from the Los Angeles Academy of Family Physicians, which allowed me to become part of a community of like-minded medical students, residents, and family medicine doctors who are fighting for the health of patients and communities.
Precious Ann Fortes, MHS
MD Candidate 2020, David Geffen School of Medicine
University of California, Los Angeles
I am so grateful to the LAAFP for the opportunity to attend the 2019 AAFP National Conference in Kansas City. Without their generous scholarship I would not have been able to attend otherwise.
At the Exposition Hall, I was able to connect with several medical students, residents and program directors while I was there. I enjoyed learning about different residency programs from all over the nation and meeting with residents to learn more about their experiences. I visited over 50 booths and spoke to numerous residents about how much they truly loved their programs. I enjoyed hearing their stories and their commitment to caring for underserved communities.
One of the residency programs invited me to a BBQ dinner at the amazing Jack Stack BBQ where I was able to connect with other medical students and residents over a delicious meal. I also attended the CAFP reception event and met several other students, residents and program directors. The educational sessions were also very helpful in preparation for applying to residency and learning/re-learning practical skills like how to read an EKG and CXR. Overall, it was such a great opportunity to network and connect with the Family Medicine community.
Attending the conference was incredibly inspiring and re-affirmed my decision to become a Family Medicine physician.
Synthia Lay, MS
MD Candidate 2022, Keck School of Medicine
University of Southern California
This year I attended the AAFP National Conference to receive the Program of Excellence Award on behalf of the Keck School of Medicine of USC and to learn more about family medicine. My experience surpassed all my expectations. I met phenomenal MS4s and PGY1s from Keck who never held back when it came to sharing their stories and lending advice. We shared meals together and I learned so much about what’s to come after my first year of medical school. Aside from the people I met, the workshops and speakers also taught me a great deal about medicine, from providing trauma-informed care to making a splint out of cloth. I learned just how broad and holistic family medicine can be. Additionally, I got a chance to learn about what other FMIGs are doing across the country and present about Keck’s FMIG. It was an honor to be chosen to represent Region 1 and I could not have been prouder of my school. I feel more prepared to succeed as a MS2 and now I have a clearer direction of the path ahead of me.
Thank you so much, Los Angeles County Chapter, for the scholarship that funded my trip to the National Conference! I had an amazing time and I will definitely encourage others to go next year.
Lydia Nelson, MS2
Keck School of Medicine
University of Southern California
I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to attend the AAFP national conference thanks to the generosity of the California Academy of Family Physicians, Los Angeles County chapter.
At the AAFP conference I was able to attend valuable workshops that covered topics we don’t get nearly enough time on at school: LGBTQ+ health, trauma informed care, disaster preparedness, and more. Additionally, I was able to meet with family medicine residents who talked with me about what I could expect a few years down the line, and give me guidance regarding the path to family medicine, and life in medicine as a whole. Finally, I was able to build friendships and possible future professional relationships with other like-minded students from both my home institution and around the nation. I came away from this weekend energized, inspired, and ready to continue my path toward this exciting and ever-growing specialty.
