The American Academy of Family Physicians has named two of Ohio’s medical school family medicine interest groups (FMIGs) as 2018 Program of Excellence Award winners for their exemplary efforts to grow and support interest in family medicine.
The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, FMIG was selected as one of only 10 recipients to receive the “overall award,” recognizing their entire portfolio of work to advance family medicine.
The Wright State University (WSU) Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, FMIG was a categorical winner for 2018 in the excellence in exposure to family medicine and family physicians category.
FMIGs are student-run organizations that provide opportunities for students to learn about and experience family medicine outside of their medical school curricula. FMIGs host events, workshops, and leadership development opportunities along with community and clinical experiences.
These award-winning groups are breaking new ground with important initiatives such as starting pipeline programs for students who are underrepresented in medicine and working with their school administration to change the curriculum to be more supportive of primary care.
“The FMIGs we honor this year have gone above and beyond by activating students to put the knowledge they’ve acquired in the classroom into practice,” said Clif Knight, MD, senior vice president for education at the AAFP. “These programs help students develop leadership skills that will serve them in their future practices and communities and provide opportunities to better understand the vital role that family medicine plays in our health care system.”
- FMIG structure and operation
- Community service
- Exposing students to family medicine and family physicians
- Promoting the value of family medicine as primary care
- Professional development
- Measures of success.
The FMIG must also illustrate significant changes or enhancements — what was learned from the previous years’ activities, what new innovations have been or will be developed, and what elements of programming were modified to meet the needs of members.
Awards are given in two segments:
Overall Awards
Ten overall Program of Excellence Award winners are chosen annually based on demonstration of well-rounded, exemplary FMIG activity and operation. These FMIGs address all aspects of the key award areas explained above.
Special Consideration or Categorical Awards
These winners are FMIGs who demonstrate excellence in one area, or who qualify for special consideration because they are a first-time applicant or an FMIG that has overcome significant obstacles.
The winners’ applications are published online to facilitate the sharing of best practices and programming ideas among FMIGs nationwide. There is also a programming resource for all FMIGs to use that highlights the most successful and innovative ideas from these exemplary schools.
Congratulations to the OSU and WSU FMIG programs!