Each March, the excitement of Match Week reminds us why the work of the OAFP Foundation (Foundation) matters so deeply. Across the country, medical students discover where they will train next, and many will take the first step toward careers in family medicine—careers that will shape the health of communities for decades to come.
This moment of celebration also arrives at a pivotal time for the Foundation. We are proud to announce the launch of the 2026–30 Strategic Plan, a roadmap designed to strengthen and sustain the pathway of future family physicians in Ohio.
A Plan Built for the Future of the Specialty
The Foundation exists for one purpose: to cultivate career choice in family medicine and ensure a strong physician workforce for Ohio.
Our new, five-year strategic plan reinforces that mission with a clear focus on supporting medical students and residents as they explore, choose, and thrive in family medicine.
- Strengthening the family medicine pathway by expanding opportunities for students to experience the specialty early in their training.
- Investing in mentorship and experiential learning, including strengthening the Leroy A. Rodgers, MD, Preceptorship Program, that connects students with practicing family physicians.
- Growing philanthropic support to ensure these opportunities remain accessible for future generations.
Developed through a collaborative process involving Foundation trustees, staff, and a facilitator, the plan embraces an agile approach, allowing the Foundation to adapt and respond to emerging challenges while remaining focused on its long-term goal: a thriving family physician workforce for Ohio.
Match Week: A Reminder of Why This Work Matters
Match Week offers a powerful reminder of the impact these efforts can have. For every student who matches into family medicine, there is a community that will gain access to comprehensive, continuous care.
Programs supported by the Foundation, from scholarships and conference experiences to the long-standing preceptorship program, provide early exposure to family medicine and meaningful mentorship that helps students envision their future in the specialty. These opportunities have already reached hundreds of learners across Ohio and continue to inspire new generations to pursue careers in primary care.
Behind many of those moments is a simple truth: someone invested in their journey.
Your Role in the Future of Family Medicine
As we celebrate the students matching into family medicine this week, we also look ahead to the next generation still discovering the specialty.
The work outlined in the Foundation’s new strategic plan depends on the collective support of Ohio’s family medicine community. Every gift, large or small, helps sustain the programs that introduce students to the specialty, connect them with mentors, and empower them to choose family medicine.
Your donation to the Foundation helps:
- Expand opportunities for medical students to explore family medicine
- Support scholarships and leadership experiences for residents and students
- Build a sustainable pipeline of family physicians for Ohio communities.
Investing in What’s Next
Match Week celebrates possibility. The Foundation’s new strategic plan ensures that possibility continues. Together, we can ensure that Ohio’s future physicians discover what so many of us already know: family medicine is where they can make the greatest difference.
We invite you to learn more about the plan and consider supporting this work by making a gift to the Foundation today that invests in Ohio’s family medicine future.