The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Foundation’s flagship program, the Leroy A. Rodgers, MD, Preceptorship Program, has provided support to medical students like Rajshri Joshi, who now understands the complexities, joys, and breadth of opportunities a career in family medicine can provide.
Through this program, Rajshri was able to spend four weeks in the summer between her first and second year of medical school to examine the life of a family physician and a family medicine practice.
Rajshri spent her days learning from Doug Harley, DO, and his practice team, truly immersing herself into the life of a family physician. She gained skills and experiences that will last the rest of her career. Her story says it all.
“I always aspired to be a physician. My fondest childhood memory is of me examining my friends as patients with a toy stethoscope and prescribing sugar pills,” said Rajshri. “Getting into a medical school was like a dream come true for me!”
“Since the time I started medical school, the biggest question has been ‘which specialty do I choose?’ I want a specialty that will suit my personality and that I will thrive in, she continued.”
“Because of my interactions and time spent with Dr. Harley and his team, I’ve cemented my desire to take on the path of family medicine. I envision myself as a family physician, one who develops a sense of trust and compassion with patients, thoroughly enjoys translating diagnosis to treatment, and above all, one who gains satisfaction in impacting lives by improving the health care of my local community,” said Rajshri .
Although Rajshri’s story is her own, the outcome is not unique. This program has supported over 1,000 medical students since 1990; the majority of whom cite similar eye-opening experiences. The numbers don’t lie. Approximately 30% of student participants will choose family medicine and 75% will choose a career in primary care.
Drilling those numbers down, the 2018 program had 57 student participants representing six of the seven medical schools in Ohio. If we compare outcomes of this year’s group to overall program outcomes, Rajshri and 16 of her classmates will choose family medicine, 26 will choose primary care, and the remaining eight will have experienced family medicine – gaining a better appreciation for the specialty – regardless of what path they choose.
Future Ohio medical students need all of our members’ support to provide valuable preceptorship experiences in family medicine at a most crucial time of their medical school journey.
Will you help provide opportunities for more medical students like Rajshri to see their potential in a family medicine career?
Make your donation online or send a check to the OAFP Foundation (4075 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214) today!
P.S. Have you heard it’s the Academy’s 70th Anniversary? With your contribution of $70 or more, you can join the $70 for 70 years campaign to ensure that the specialty of family medicine continues to thrive for another 70 years! A listing of those that have joined can be found on the Foundation’s website. There are currently 64 individuals, can we get to 70 by the end of the year?
If you have any questions about the Preceptorship Program or other Foundation programming, please contact Director of Events and Foundation Programs Kaitlin McGuffie or call 800.742.7327.