Desiree Acosta
MPH Student, 3/4th year
David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
Attending the California Academy of Family Physicians’ All Member Advocacy Meeting was an invaluable experience, enriching both personally and professionally. Connecting with a diverse array of passionate individuals, including amazing family physicians, dedicated residents, and aspiring medical students, was truly inspiring. I am grateful for their willingness to engage, share insights, and offer guidance on my path to a career in family medicine. I am excited to continue to lean on this new support system moving forward.
Participating in the lobbying day provided me with hands-on experience in the policy-making process that not only empowered me but also ignited a fervent determination to continue advocating for policies aimed at advancing health equity alongside my esteemed colleagues in family medicine.
Attending the AMAM, stands out as one of the most memorable experiences during my medical school journey. After leaving the AMAM, I felt invigorated and armed with newfound knowledge and a renewed commitment to my journey towards family medicine. It is with great anticipation and enthusiasm that I continue along the path toward becoming a compassionate family physician and a steadfast advocate for marginalized communities.
Tam Au, MD
Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) of
USC Family Medicine Residency Program, PGY-2
CAFP All Member Advocacy Meeting (AMAM) allowed me to reignite and rediscover my love for community advocacy. It was my first time returning to Sacramento, a place where I first learned about policymaking and realized the vital role physicians could play in implementing systemic change to better the care of our patients. Sacramento inspired me to pursue medicine and someday be a physician-advocate for my community. Yet the rigors of medical training can make this goal feel a long way away.
AMAM taught me that advocacy is, in fact, not a “someday” task but rather something integrated into my everyday clinical practice. AMAM offered a welcoming space to engage with colleagues equally passionate about health equity. I was humbled to listen to thoughtful resolutions written from others, many early (or earlier) in their career (kudos to the medical students and undergraduates!). I appreciated the “The Sausage Making of Elections and Campaigns: An Insider’s View” session which highlighted how family doctors could also serve as school board members, assemblymembers, and other civic leaders.
I also had the opportunity to utilize the skills I gained from AAFP Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (FMAS) during Lobby Day. I had the chance to interact with my local legislators and speak about the importance of social determinants health screening and of investing into our primary care workforce with the Song-Brown Program. I shared my experience growing up in an underserved community, of being a product of public benefit programs like Medi-Cal and graduating from a pipeline program aimed at creating a primary care workforce which truly reflects and represents the vulnerable communities we serve.
I am grateful to LAAFP for supporting my early advocacy endeavors. Moving forth, I hope to continue bridging the gap between decision-makers and those impacted by decisions as a physician-advocate.
Soomin Jung, MD
Family Medicine Resident
California Hospital Medical Center, PGY3
Before residency, I thought “advocacy” was a word that was something that other people use. However, somehow along the way of my residency career, the beauty of advocacy found me. With it, it brought LAAFP members, community, and support.
Last year, I did not understand what was happening and why one weekend of this type of gathering was important. This is my second time attending CAFP AMAM, and dare I say it – I would like to attend it every year. This time, I challenged myself to give a personal testimony to one of the resolutions that my CAFP Student/Resident colleagues have written and submitted. As each year goes by, I hope to have a better understanding of what it means to embody advocacy and how I can manifest it in my own life on a daily basis.
I am incredibly proud to be a part of LAAFP. I appreciate how many of our members traveled to Sacramento to attend AMAM, attend lobby day, and to connect with others throughout the weekend. Thank you to every single one of you that elevates the field of family medicine in your own ways – through your patient care, local/state/national work, academia, research, etc. I am always so grateful to all of you who also believe in supporting and investing in residents and students’ learning and experiences. I am honored to be a part of LAAFP and look forward to continuing this journey with you all – as a new attending!
Bryan A. Medina MD
Family Medicine Resident
California Hospital Medical Center, PGY2
Attending the AMAM conference was an enriching experience that left me with valuable insights and connections. Throughout the event, I had the opportunity to engage with physicians across the state and learn from leaders in the field of family medicine. I was able to network and collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Most importantly the AMAM conference emphasized the importance of advocacy for family medicine. I was part of many discussions on healthcare policy and legislative updates which empowered me to be a more effective advocate for my patients and the profession. Beyond the educational sessions, the conference fostered a sense of community. I met colleagues facing similar challenges and celebrated our shared commitment to patient-centered care. Overall attending the AMAM conference enriched my professional growth, expanded my network, and reinforced my dedication to advancing family medicine. I look forward to implementing the knowledge gained and contributing to the progress of healthcare in our community. A tremendous amount of appreciation to the LAAFP for supporting me with a scholarship to attend the conference. Thank you.
Krupa Modi
Medical Student, 3rd Year
Keck School of Medicine of USC
Attending AMAM was an exciting opportunity to learn more about organized medicine and how students can get involved. I was inspired to see other medical students introducing resolutions, and I loved learning about how these resolutions shape CAFP’s funding and advocacy priorities. A highlight for me was learning how to speak to legislators and practicing this skill at the Capitol. I found connecting with my elected officials to be an easy activity with relatively little time commitment but high impact. I hope to bring what I learned at AMAM to Keck’s Primary Care Program so my classmates and I can advocate for more equitable policies in our community. Additionally, I am excited to use these advocacy skills throughout my career in family medicine to not only care for my individual patients, but also improve the public health conditions they live in.
