Leadership & Scholarship Opportunities

Are you interested in being more involved with your Academy or receiving a scholarship to harness your leadership potential? Would you like to participate in a summer program to learn more about family medicine? If so, you are in the right spot!

Today’s medical students are the future of the specialty. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) highly values the contributions made by medical students and recognizes the importance of training future leaders of medicine.

There are many ways to begin or continue your leadership journey in family medicine, specifically with the OAFP and the OAFP Foundation (Foundation). If you’re interested in starting with committee work, there’s a spot for you. If you want to take your leadership skills to the next level and apply for a director position on the OAFP Board of Directors or trustee position on the Foundation Board of Trustees, there’s an opportunity for that too. The OAFP and the Foundation are here to help build you into the best leader you can be.

For a list of committees, workgroups, taskforces, and resource teams you can participate on, visit the Get Involved page.

Opportunities for leadership positions and scholarships include:

Program Overview & FAQ

The OAFP Foundation’s (Foundation) Leroy A. Rodgers, MD, Preceptorship Program (Preceptorship Program) affords medical students the opportunity to explore the diverse and rewarding realities of family medicine under the guidance of a practicing family physician through a four-week rotation during the summer between the first and second year of medical school.

Since 1990, over 1,400 medical students’ preceptorship experiences with family physician preceptors have been funded through the Preceptorship Program. Program outcomes show that 31% of all participants choose the family medicine specialty, and 72% of participants overall enter primary care career specialties.

During these educational rotations students not only gain intensive exposure to family medicine’s whole person orientation – witnessing the continuous, comprehensive, and collaborative patient-centered care provided by family physicians; but, also experience and observe the difference family physicians make in the lives of the people in their communities.

The Foundation will offer a flexible plan to complete the 2024 program. Students will have the ability to choose between the traditional experience, which includes a minimum of 128 hours during the four-week rotation, or a non-traditional experience, which includes a minimum of 40 hours during the four-week rotation. Both options may include in-person and/or virtual experiences, and each will have a different stipend amount associated with it.

Our hope is to offer flexibility to each student and preceptor in order to custom-design a valuable family medicine training that fits each time frame and expectation.

Following are expectations and requirements for this year’s participants, regardless of hours completed.

Student Eligibility
  • Student participants must have been approved and submitted to the Foundation by one of the following Ohio medical schools:
    • Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
    • University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
    • Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine
    • The Ohio State University College of Medicine
    • Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
    • University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
    • Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
  • Student participants must be members of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians.

Program Components

Component 1: Preceptor Connection and Mentorship
The most valuable part of the Preceptorship Program is the student’s connection to a family physician and the education and insight provided through that mentorship. Because practice protocols continue to change day-to-day and to offer flexibility in creating a custom-experience, two options to complete this component are available.

Option A: Traditional Preceptorship Program = $1,500 stipend
This option requires students to spend a minimum of 32 hours per week or 128 hours total over the 4-week program, working with their preceptors and/or practice team. These hours can also include virtual experiences and projects.

Option B: Non-Traditional Experience = $600 stipend
If students are not able to fulfill traditional program hour requirements, either in-person or virtually, students can still participate by engaging with the preceptor and practice team (if applicable) a minimum of 40 hours over the 4-week program. These hours may include but are not limited to telehealth visits, Zoom meetings with the preceptor, clinical research for case studies, and any in-person time.

Component 2: Family Medicine Education
To offer additional education on family medicine, the Foundation will host two, live webinars and provide a catalog of archived sessions for students. Students will be required to watch the new webinars, preferably live, but may also view a recorded version if there are schedule issues. Students will complete an evaluation for the webinars and overall program and submit it with final reports at the conclusion of their rotation. 

Webinars Included (may change based on speaker availability):

  1. How to Succeed this Summer
    Date: Monday, May 6
    Time: 7:30 p.m.
  1. A Family Medicine Career
    Date: Thursday, May 23
    Time: 7:00p.m.
  2. Additional sessions from previous program years will be available to view for extra education.
Component 3: Group Engagement
An important part of this year’s program will be connecting student participants with each other and to the OAFP and the Foundation. Students will:
  • Attend one of two initial welcome Zoom meetings with Foundation staff to give introductions, go over expectations and requirements, and answer any questions. We highly encourage everyone to attend one session regardless of when rotations begin. However, it will be recorded and shared with anyone not able to attend. The welcome meetings will be held as follows:
    • Thursday, April 11, at Noon
    • Monday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m.
  • Are encouraged to attend the OAFP’s Family Medicine Celebration on Saturday, August 17, at COSI in Columbus, OH. More information to come on this valuable opportunity to network and meet with family physicians across the state.
Final Requirements for Funding
In order to receive the stipend (amount based on hours completed), students will need to do the following:
  • Join the AAFP/OAFP as a student member. Membership is free to all medical students.
  • Attend the welcome Zoom meeting.
  • Submit a final report detailing the experience and overall perspective of family medicine.
  • Submit a log of activity with hours (Note: there is no in-between for payments and payments will not be prorated based on hours. For example, if a student completes more than 40 hours but less than 128, they will receive the $600 stipend):
    • 40 hour minimum engagement with preceptor and/or practice team for non-traditional rotation
    • 32 hour/week or 128 hour total with preceptor and/or practice team for traditional experience.
  • Complete and return an evaluation for the webinar sessions and overall program.
  • Optional (not required for funding but highly encouraged to participate in or submit):
    • Attend the Family Medicine Celebration on Saturday, August 17.
    • Share a video sharing the three most important things learned throughout this family medicine experience.
    • Provide a photo of you and your preceptor.

FAQs

  1. How do I apply to the Preceptorship Program?
    Students should connect with their program coordinator at their respective medical school. (contacts listed below). The application process varies from school to school. Please contact your school’s coordinator to determine the appropriate steps for applying to the program.
  1. Do I need to find my own preceptor?
    It depends. Preceptor and site location is determined by each medical school. Some schools require students to find preceptors, others place the students. The Foundation can assist in finding a preceptor as needed, especially if the student is looking to “go home” for the summer and work with a practice in Ohio not close to their medical school.
  1. When can I complete my rotation?
    In general, during the months between your first- and second-year of medical school. You can choose a timeline based on your schedule and your preceptors (unless your school has a structured timeline to complete the program in).
  1. Do I have to do my program hours consecutively?
    Ideally, we encourage students to work with their preceptor and practice team over a consecutive 4-week timeframe but we understand that things come up, especially in the summer. If the weeks of your rotation need to be broken up, that is ok, just note the dates in your log of activities at the end of your rotation.
  1. Can I include time spent on practice projects, research, etc. in my required hours?
    Yes! Any activity, project, research you do for your preceptor and practice can be included in your hours. If needed, you can also include time spent watching the Foundation’s webinars.
  1. Do I have to spend most of my time with a family physician?
    The main preceptor that you work with should be a family medicine trained physician. However, students are encouraged to spend time learning from other members of the care team during the rotation. This can be with residents, nurses, office managers, other physicians, etc. working with other members of the care team can help provide a full picture of a primary care office and give additional perspectives and ways of practicing medicine for you to learn from.
  1. What does the stipend process look like for this program?
    After each student per medical schools submits their final materials required for participation to either the program coordinator or Foundation staff (Kaitlin McGuffie), the Foundation will send one check covering all stipend amounts to the University. It is up to the University to disperse the funds to the students. Please confirm this final process with your program coordinator. Some schools will set students up as employees for the summer and a stipend will be issued with a 1099, some schools will apply the stipend amount to the students’ tuition, etc.

Program Questions
Please reach out to your program coordinator at each respective medical school or OAFP Foundation staff:

Foundation Staff
Program Coordinators
  • Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine
    Mary Sherman

Program Funders
The Preceptorship Program is funded by donations from individuals, corporate partners, and the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians’ regional chapters; and grants from the AAFP Foundation. To support this career forming program, donate to the Foundation today!

Disclaimer: student names and reports will be shared with Foundation trustees, preceptors, and program partners.

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!

The student director works with other members of the board to ensure that OAFP activities are focused appropriately to achieve the Academy’s mission and strategic plan. They serve as a member of the OAFP board representing Ohio’s medical students through attendance at board meetings by contributing to the discussion and representing the student voice. The student director should also serve as a resource to fellow students and encourage involvement in the OAFP among peers. A student alternate director will also be elected in the event of unavoidable absence of the student director, to serve with full voting privileges.

The student director and alternate director serve a one-year term from August to August each year.

The deadline to apply is each year at the end of May.

If you are interested in serving as a student director or alternate director on the OAFP Board of Directors, please contact Executive Vice President Kate Mahler, CAE, or call 800.724.7327. For more information, read the Standard Operating Procedures for Officers and the Board.

The student trustee works with other trustees to ensure that Foundation activities are focused appropriately to achieve the Foundation’s mission and development plan. They serve as a member of the Foundation board representing the students through attendance at board meetings by contributing to the discussion and representing the student voice. The student trustee should also serve as a resource to fellow students. A student alternate trustee will also be elected in the event of unavoidable absence of the student trustee, to serve with full voting privileges.

The student trustee and alternate trustee serve a one-year term that begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.

The deadline to apply is each year at the beginning of June.

If you are interested in serving as a student trustee or alternate trustee on the Foundation Board of Trustees, please contact Director of Foundation & Strategic Programs Kaitlin McGuffie or call 800.724.7327. For more information, please read the OAFP Foundation Board of Trustees Manual.

Application Packet
Congress Schedule
Benefits and Responsibilities of being a Chapter Delegate or Alternate

Apply to represent your fellow Ohio medical students at the National Congress of Student Members (NCSM) hosted in conjunction with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students (National Conference) Thursday-Saturday, August 1-3.

The student delegate and alternate delegate will represent Ohio’s medical students during discussions, resolution writing, and elections at the congress sessions. While any student member of the AAFP may participate in congress discussions and resolution writing, only chapter delegates are eligible to vote in elections. The alternate student delegate serves in a partner role to the delegate and as a backup in case the delegate is not able to vote.

Delegates and alternate delegates will:
  • Represent OAFP’s student members at their national policy making forums
  • Vote for elected positions and other leadership opportunities in the AAFP
  • Receive instruction in parliamentary procedure and informed decision making
  • Participate in discussion groups and develop and debate resolutions
  • Learn about the AAFP’s strategic priorities and how the Academy and other key organizations are addressing issues of importance to students.
Eligible candidates must:
  • Be a student member in good standing with the OAFP and the AAFP
  • Be a student in good standing at their medical school
  • Have participated in at least one OAFP activity (event, program, committee, etc.)
  • Disclose additional funding received to attend the conference (Please note: additional funding received by the selected delegate/alternate will be deducted from the reimbursement amount available).
Eligible candidates must submit:
  • A completed student delegate application
  • A current CV
  • A statement of interest explaining your interest in family medicine and why you wish to represent Ohio medical students at the congress (no more than one typewritten page).
Post-conference, the delegate and alternate delegate must submit:
  • A written report of their experience (typically 2-3 pages)
  • Receipts for travel reimbursement.

The deadline to apply is Sunday, May 5.

The OAFP Foundation Executive Committee will select a delegate and alternate delegate. The delegate and alternate delegate will have applicable travel expenses to participate in the congress and National Conference reimbursed by the OAFP Foundation – this includes early bird conference registration, airfare, mileage, and hotel. The Expense Reimbursement Policy will be provided to the delegate and alternate delegate upon selection.

If you have questions about the student delegate role or application process, please contact Workforce Development Manager Caitlin Laudeman.

The OAFP Foundation will offer a limited number of $600 scholarships for Ohio medical students to attend the American Academy of Family Physicians’ (AAFP’s) National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students (National Conference) Thursday-Saturday, August 1-3, 2024, in Kansas City, MO.

To be considered for a scholarship, medical students must apply for one of the AAFP Foundation’s Family Medicine Leads scholarships for National Conference. Ohio medical students not selected for an AAFP Foundation scholarship will automatically be considered for one of the OAFP Foundation’s scholarships, no separate application necessary. Notification of the OAFP Foundation’s scholarship selection will be made prior to the conference and scholarship checks will be mailed to recipients after the conference.

For more information, please contact Workforce Development Manager Caitlin Laudeman.

Please note: Students selected for the OAFP Foundation’s delegate and alternate delegate roles are not eligible.

Each year, the OAFP hosts a virtual Annual Membership Meeting to discuss policy and business functions of the organization.   Up to five student members are selected to attend the meeting as official student delegates. Each of the five delegates have voting privileges during the business portions of the meeting.

If interested in serving as a delegate to the Annual Membership Meeting, please contact Workforce Development Manager Caitlin Laudeman.

Questions about Serving?

We understand you might have some questions, so below are some answers to get you started! Please contact the OAFP office or call 800.742.7327 with any additional questions.

Among other things, you have the opportunity to:
  • Network with family physicians from across the state during OAFP events and meetings
  • Participate in the discussion of issues key to health care delivery and to family medicine
  • Learn more about topics of special interest
  • Cultivate organizational and communication skills
  • Spend time with other student leaders who share common interests and concerns.

  • You must be a current OAFP member to be elected or selected for any position
  • For some positions, preference will be given to applicants who are currently serving or have served on an OAFP committee, workgroup, taskforce, or resource team
  • Should be in good standing at your medical school and with the Academy.

You will be expected to attend all portions of assigned meetings. Whenever possible, meetings are scheduled over the weekends to minimize the number of days away from medical school obligations. Please check specific position descriptions for estimated meeting days.

Work is also done through electronic communications. You will receive information specific to your position after being elected or selected.

If you plan to run for an elected position or apply for an appointment, you must be confident that you will be granted the time off to attend required meetings.

There are also several steps that you can take to ensure support:
  • Know your medical school’s attendance policies
  • Find out if any of your classmates have served in AAFP positions
  • Share information about the position you are seeking and the general meeting schedule with the appropriate individuals
  • Explain what you hope to gain from the experience (eg, leadership development, advocacy, policy development)
  • Volunteer to present relevant information from AAFP meetings during a brown bag lunch, FMIG meeting, class, etc.