Michigan Resident and Student Delegates Pass Resolution Supporting Rural Training for IMG

AAFP Resident & Student Conference: A National Platform for Emerging Leaders

More than 3,000 family medicine residents and medical students from across the country convened in Kansas City, MO, August 1-3, for American Academy of Family Physicians’ National Conference — THE largest annual educational, networking, and residency-connection forum for family physicians-in-training in the United States.

Among those in attendance were 50 Michigan Academy of Family Physicians members eager to learn, expand their network, and make a mark on family medicine and the association that represents them and their chosen specialty.

“With little to no prior policymaking experience, participating in the AAFP’s process was both empowering and educational. It offered a unique opportunity for students and residents to contribute to decisions that shape the future of family medicine, highlighting the critical role of advocacy in our profession,” said Resident Alternate Delegate Ahmed Saleh, MD (McLaren Health Care/Flint/MSU Program). “Additionally, it allowed me to collaborate with fellow delegates from across the nation in shaping policies that directly impact our practice and patient care.”

Dr. Saleh was part of Michigan’s 2024 conference delegation, appointed by the Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan Board of Trustees to represent the voice of our state’s family medicine residents and medical students. He served alongside Resident Delegate Saaranga Sasitharan, DO, MHA (University of Michigan Family Medicine Residency Program, Ann Arbor), Student Delegate Kelsey Bean (Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing), and Student Alternate Delegate Donovan Dennis (Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Flint).

“As members and delegates of the AAFP, our presence ensures that the voices of current and future physicians are heard, and that the policies being crafted reflect the needs and perspectives of those who will carry the torch of family medicine,” said Dr. Saleh. “This involvement also fosters leadership development and a deeper understanding of the Academy's governmental side and the advocacy process.”

Dennis said serving as an alternate delegate was a rewarding experience and highlighted the networking opportunities provided by the conference.

“It was really cool to connect with the other resident and student delegates from across the nation and develop skills like resolution writing,” said Dennis. “I was even a part of a resolution that got approved while at the conference!”

Lucy Nguyen, MD candidate at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, also highlighted networking and resolution writing as favorite aspects of the conference experience.

“Being surrounded by so many people who are passionate and happy about being in family medicine warmed my heart,” Nguyen said. “We are all passionate about many of the same things, so it was great to come together and work towards a common goal.”

Michigan Delegates Drive Change

During business sessions of AAFP’s National Congress of Family Medicine Residents and National Congress of Student Members, Michigan’s delegates proposed solutions—in the form of resolutions (ideas for change)—to issues impacting patients and the delivery of care, presented their resolutions before reference committees, served on reference committees that reviewed and provided recommendations to the entire congress, voted on resolutions, and elected national resident and student leaders. 

Bean said serving as Student Delegate opened her eyes to the strong advocacy work that students are able to do at the national level and said she was excited to experience the immense reach of AAFP in their policy work.

“Medical students rarely have exposure to the advocacy side of medicine, even though policy impacts our training, practice, and the way we can serve our patients,” she said. “Seeing medical students advocate for causes they are passionate about provides a blueprint for how we can complete this work as residents and future family medicine physicians.”

Advocating for Rural Health: Resolution Expands Support for International Medical Graduates

Bean's deep connection to Michigan, shaped by her upbringing in rural areas and training in a rural medical program, fueled her passion for expanding healthcare access in the state. When she learned that International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are often excluded from loan forgiveness programs, she collaborated with a fellow student to draft a resolution advocating for broader eligibility. This proposal aimed to support IMGs in accessing federal and state loan forgiveness programs, which could incentivize them to practice in underserved rural areas.

“Growing up in rural Michigan and then training in a Michigan rural program for medical school, I am aware that shortages of primary care physicians in rural areas directly impacts public health and the care we can provide our patients throughout the state of Michigan,” she said.  

Michigan’s delegation proudly presented two resolution proposals: One on Promoting Health Equity Through Trauma-Informed Self-Swab Cervical Cancer screening and another on Supporting Rural Training for IMG. The proposal on Supporting Rural Training for IMG was successfully adopted with amendments by their peers.  

1. “Supporting Rural Training for IMG”
   RESOLVED, That the American Academy of Family Physicians develop policy supporting access to federal and state loan forgiveness programs for foreign citizens, including broadening eligibility criteria for the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness programs. 
   

Bean's firsthand understanding of the challenges in rural healthcare, combined with her dedication to advocating for Michigan's medical community, played a crucial role in the successful adoption of the proposal with amendments by their peers.

Other Ways to Engage at National Conference 

Below are additional highlights of Michigan’s representation at the 2024 National Conference of Family Medicine Residents & Medical students: 

• MAFP members enjoyed networking at the popular Michigan Reception held at the downtown retro hot spot, Shark Bar, located in Kansas City's Power & Light District. They connected with residency program directors, staff, and residents from Michigan, as well as fellow students interested in training in the state. The event provided a lively atmosphere for fostering relationships and professional connections. “Everyone was so nice and welcoming at the MAFP networking event,” said Nguyen. “This was my first time attending the national AAFP conference and I was a little bit nervous at first since I didn't know that many people; however, all the medical students and residents there were all so friendly.”

• The “Michigan Aisle” in the expansive Expo Hall featured 17 of our state’s 39 family medicine residency programs. 

• Three research posters were displayed by cohorts from Henry Ford Hospital Family Medicine Residency, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, and Ross University School of Medicine. These included: Go to the People: Implementing a Street Medicine Consult Service (Community Project) with MAFP Member Abbey Mckee-Boyes, DO, and MAFP Member James Blumline, MD of Henry Ford Family Medicine Residency; Perceptions of Burnout and the Decision to Pursue a Career in Medicine (Research) with Morgan Steele and MAFP Member Bryanna Singh from Ross University School of Medicine; and Sun Protection for the Population Experiencing Homelessness in Pontiac, Michigan (Community Project) with MAFP Member Caroline Roberts and Madison Romanski from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.

• Moriah Manu (Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine) launched her year-long participation in AAFP Foundation’s Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute 

• Five MAFP student members earned AAFP scholarships to help offset the cost of attending the conference.

Get Involved 

Below are links to where you can learn about getting involved in AAFP’s 2025 FUTURE Conference.   

Michigan Resident & Student Congress Delegate Positions (scholarship included) 

Poster Presentation 

Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute 

Family Medicine Leads Scholarships 

AAFP Leadership Opportunities– applications are currently open for a variety of positions with AAFP and partnering organizations; deadlines range from Aug. 10 through Sept. 7 

Family Medicine Interest Groups 

Plus, Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan is hosting its annual Michigan Future of Family Medicine Conference & Residency Connection on Saturday, Sept. 14, in Novi. Touted as a mini-National Conference, this state conference for medical students offers hands-on clinical workshops, small group discussions with family physicians about subspecialties within family medicine, and a residency fair with programs from Michigan. Registration is open for students, residency program exhibitors and volunteers who would like to talk with students about their areas of expertise/special interest and/or help instruct a clinical workshop. Join us!