Programs to Explore Family Medicine

The following are MAFP programs that will allow medical students to gain experience and knowledge about family medicine.

Explore Family Medicine – A Roadmap for Your Future offers advice and essential information for high school, pre-med and medical students who want to learn about family medicine specialty.  Many medical students say they wish they had found this website early in their career so help us pass this along to your colleagues!

National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students is a conference designed by and for medical students and family medicine residents.  If you are considering family medicine as your specialty, this is the place to go!  The MAFP and U of M Department of Family Medicine and Community Health team up to provide scholarships for medical students to attend this conference held each year in late July or early August in Kansas City. Scholarships cover the conference registration, transportation and lodging.

Summer Research Externship
The MAFP Foundation provides externship grants through the David Mersy, M.D., Medical Student Externship program. Proposals are submitted to the MAFP Foundation in February of each year. Stipends of $2,000 are awarded to the students.

Residency Recruitment Event
The Residency Recruitment Event is held annually in September.  This MAFP-sponsored event is free to students in the five-state area and one guest per registrant.  Students have the opportunity to visit with representatives from Minnesota and many of the Upper Midwest family medicine residency programs. The Luau includes an educational session with residents and faculty discussing aspects of the match, interviewing and choosing a residency program. Brunch is included.

A Day in the Life of a Family Medicine Resident
The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians coordinates this opportunity for a medical student to spend the day, or part of a day, with a family medicine resident.

MAFP Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting is a three-day event organized by the MAFP for physicians, residents, and students. The meeting is composed of the House of Delegates on day one followed by the Spring Refresher which is two days of educational seminars. During the Spring Refresher, an education session is scheduled on a topic chosen by students and for students. Previous year topics have been financial planning/money management, choosing types of practice situations within family practice, and sub-specialization within family practice. Medical students receive complementary registration.