Family Medicine Stories
In 2023, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is celebrating 75 years of cutting-edge member education, strong advocacy, and devoted family medicine leadership. What better way to mark this momentous occasion than to highlight the heart of the OAFP— its members.
The OAFP looks forward to featuring its members throughout the year in its 75th Anniversary Family Medicine Story video series. The videos capture members from all stages of the family medicine workforce pipeline, sharing their personal stories in choosing family medicine, how their career has impacted their lives, and how the OAFP has supported them along the way.
Christen Johnson, MD, EdD, MPH, FAAFP
| Dr. Johnson grew up knowing she wanted to be a doctor. Her passion of treating the underserved and interest in obstetrics, as well as adolescent medicine, lead her to mentors that showed her the breadth and depth of family medicine.
Within the OAFP, Dr. Johnson serves as chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup and is a member of the National Action Committee. Nationally, she is the appointed new physician representative of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in Family Medicine, as well as a post-graduate member of the Committee on Medical Education for the National Medical Association. “…It was amazing to be ushered into this organization that not only supported me as a medical student, but also throughout my residency. The Academy has also given me opportunities to be a leader at the national level,” said Dr. Johnson. “Being a part of the OAFP has been a joy and it’s something that I recommend to students when I hear they are interested in leadership and staying here [Ohio].” |
Ada Stewart, MD, FAAFP
| From once working as a pharmacist at a drug store in Cleveland, OH, to becoming the board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Ada Stewart, MD, FAAFP, has always had a passion for caring about her community and ensuring access to high quality care.
It was actually those in her community—pharmacists and family physicians alike—that showed her the path to family medicine and the importance of service, advocacy, and leadership. “I am honored to have served the specialty of family medicine and advocate not only for specialty, but for patients and communities. I am honored to stand on the shoulders of many before me.” |
Olivia M. Dhaliwal
| Olivia M. Dhaliwal, a fourth year medical student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, shares her family medicine “why” and a powerful anecdote about the power of empathy in providing better health outcomes.
Olivia is a Student Delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Congress of Delegates and functions as a member of the AAFP Commission on Education. She plans to match into family medicine in 2024. “I feel that family medicine has the power to change so much in our world…it’s really inspiring to me, the breadth and depth of all the things family medicine touches throughout our country and healthcare system.” |
Ted Wymyslo, MD, FAAFP
| An OAFP member since 1982, Ted Wymyslo, MD, FAAFP, has served on a number of commissions and committees, dedicating himself to his leadership, as well as his work as a resident educator, practicing physician, family medicine innovator, and public health official.
As a retired physician, Dr. Wymyslo reflects on his career in family medicine and how the OAFP served as a valuable resource. “The OAFP provided a strong foundation for our discipline and my personal career development. From CME opportunities that enhanced my patient care skills to leadership development opportunities, they were there to help,” Dr. Wymyslo shares. |
Financial support for this program was provided by the AAFP Foundation to the Family Medicine Chapter Alliance (FMCA) and is funded by members like you! Help programs like this continue to support family medicine by giving to the AAFP Foundation. Select “Chapter Grants” when making your gift online. Thank you!