Leadership experience while in medical school is important for success in your future career in any specialty. When it comes time to apply to a residency in family medicine, involvement in local, regional, and national family medicine organizations and programs will strengthen your application and show commitment to the specialty. Some student leadership opportunities available within family medicine are:
UW
We encourage students interested in leadership in family medicine to volunteer to lead an event or program with the UW Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) on their Foundations campus. Join the Family Medicine Listserv to hear about Seattle FMIG leadership opportunities and activities.
State and County
There are a variety of opportunities to become leaders on the state level through the state academies, such as the Washington Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP). Leadership positions with the WAFP include yearlong positions as a Student Trustee and WAFP Foundation Trustee, or students can represent their peers at the WAFP House of Delegates. Seattle students can also serve on the student subcommittee of the King County Academy of Family Physicians (KCAFP). Check in with your state’s family medicine academy to inquire about leadership positions on a state and local level:
- Alaska: AKAFP — https://alaskaafp.org/
- Montana: MAFP — https://montanaafp.org/
- Idaho: IAFP — https://idahofamilyphysicians.org/
- Wyoming: WyAFP — https://www.wyomed.org/about/specialty-societies/wafp/
National
The Pisacano Scholars Leadership Program and accompanying scholarship is the preeminent leadership training program for students in family medicine. Watch the recorded 2024 informational session on this program with UW’s own 2023 Pisacano Scholar Kevin Glover here.
A wide variety of opportunities exist for students interested in leadership within the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Students can serve as their state chapter delegate to the Congress of Delegates at FUTURE (National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Students). Students can also be elected or appointed for a variety of leadership positions, most lasting 12-15 months. Some positions require you to coordinate with your state chapter to apply. Another opportunity to consider is the AAFP’s Family Medicine Champions program.
If you have any questions about leadership opportunities, please e-mail the Advising Director, Tomoko Sairenji: sairenji@uw.edu.
Updated July 2025