Leadership & Scholarship Opportunities

Program Flyer
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 1,300 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 2022 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 participants must have been approved and submitted to the Foundation by one of the following Ohio medical schools and must be members of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians:
  • 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.
    

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. Ideally, the majority of these hours will be from in-clinic work but if there are stipulations around being in office, 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.

A guide providing examples of virtual interactions for the preceptor and the student learner is available for reference if needed. Participants are encouraged to be as resourceful as possible in generating ways to connect and engage with the practice team and patients; creating a custom-experience just for the student. 

Component 2: Family Medicine Education
To offer additional education on family medicine, the Foundation will host two, new 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, and watch at least one of the archived sessions provided. Students will complete an evaluation for the webinars and overall program and submit it with final reports at the conclusion of their rotation. 

Anticipated Live Webinars (may change based on speaker availability):

1. What’s in a Family Medicine Career
   Date: Evening in May*
   Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

2. Family Medicine: Advice from Students & Residents
   Date: Evening in May or early June*
   Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Please note, students will be required to watch one of the archived sessions from the 2020 and 2021 Preceptorship Program. A link to the sessions will be provided at the beginning of the program in May 2022.

*Final dates and time for the new, live webinars will be sent to students prior to the start of the program.

• Attend an initial welcome Zoom meeting with Foundation staff to give introductions, go over expectations and requirements, and answer any questions. One evening time in May 2022 will be available to join live. We highly encourage everyone to attend this session regardless of when rotations begin. However, it will be recorded and shared with anyone not able to attend.
• Join a GroupMe group to stay connected with students in the summer program from across Ohio. Participants will be able to share experiences and questions. (optional, not required for funding but highly encouraged)
• Attend the final Zoom meeting, during an evening in August 2022, to share experiences and network with all student participants. (optional, not required for funding but highly encouraged)
  

• 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):
  • Join the GroupMe group.
  • Join the final Zoom call.
  • 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.

2. 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.

3. 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).

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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:

• Kaitlin McGuffie | 614.914.5629 (office)
• Caitlin Laudeman | 614-914-5631 (office)
  

• Case Western Reserve University SOM
  Stephanie Cummings
  Jason Chao, MD

• Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine
  Mary Sherman

• Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
  Michelle Bobo
  Jennifer Gwilym, DO

• The Ohio State University College of Medicine
  Allison Macerollo, MD

• University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
  Saundra Regan

• University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
  Lindsey Brillhart

• Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
  Juanita Griffin

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.

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. He or she serves 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 Ann Spicer 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. He or she serves 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.

The student delegate and alternate delegate will participate in the American Academy of Family Physicians virtual National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students Thursday-Saturday, July 29-31, 2021, representing Ohio’s students during discussions, debates, and elections at the congress sessions. Student delegates and alternate delegates will receive a $200 scholarship to participate in National Conference and the Congress from the OAFP Foundation.

• Represent OAFP’s student members at national policy making forums
• Run or apply for elected positions and other leadership opportunities in the AAFP
• Receive instruction in parliamentary procedure and informed decision making
• Participate in special 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.

For additional information on 2021 delegate roles, please view the AAFP’s Chapter Delegate Fact Sheet.

• Have participated in one OAFP activity
• Be a student in good standing with the OAFP and the AAFP
• Be a student in good standing at their medical school
• Disclose other funding received to attend the conference (please note: other funding received by official Ohio delegates to attend the conference will be deducted from the Foundation scholarship).

• A completed student application
• A current CV
• A statement of interest (no more than one typewritten page) explaining your interest in family medicine and why you wish to represent Ohio at the congress.

The deadline to apply is Monday, June 14. Applicants who are not selected will be added to the considerations list for an OAFP Foundation student scholarship for National Conference.

Delegates will be notified by the end of June and scholarship check will be mailed to recipients after the congress.

If you are interested in or have questions about serving as a student delegate or alternate delegate, please contact Coordinator of Events and Foundation Programs Caitlin Laudeman or call 800.724.7327.

The OAFP Foundation will offer a limited number of $200 medical student scholarships (from non-selected American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation’s (AAFP Foundation) Family Medicine Leads Scholarship applicants) to attend the AAFP’s virtual National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students (National Conference) Thursday-Saturday, July 29-31, 2021..

To be considered for the scholarship, students must apply for the AAFP Foundation’s Family Medicine Leads Scholarships for National Conference. Ohio medical students that are not selected by the AAFP Foundation for a Family Medicine Leads Scholarship will automatically be considered for the OAFP Foundation’s scholarship. Notification of the OAFP Foundation’s scholarship selection will be made in mid-July and scholarship checks will mail after National Conference.

For more information, please contact Coordinator of Events and Foundation Program Caitlin Laudeman or call 800.742.7327.

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

Each year, the OAFP hosts an annual meeting, the Family Medicine Celebration, to discuss policy and functions of the organization as well as offer continuing medical education programming on a variety of topics. An annual awards dinner is also held and physicians are honored. Up to five students 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 Family Medicine Celebration, please contact Director of Foundation & Strategic Programs Kaitlin McGuffie or call 800.742.7327.

• 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.

• 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.