Each year, the National Congress of Family Medicine Residents and the National Congress of Student Members convene during FUTURE (formerly National Conference) to discuss issues of vital interest to residents and medical students.
Second-year medical student Abigail Schwenk represented medical students and NEOMED as student delegate to the 2025 Ohio Delegation for the AAFP National Congress.
She shared her thoughts on the experience with The Pulse.
How did your appointment come about?
This past spring, I was incredibly honored to receive the Drs. Elbert and Martha Magoon Primary Care Leadership Award from NEOMED’s Department of Family and Community Medicine. The award supports a rising second-year student in exploring leadership opportunities within primary care, and it opened the door for me to attend FUTURE.
When I began looking into the conference, I found myself drawn to the Ohio Student Delegate role. I shared this interest with two of my mentors, Dr. Mariquita Belen and Mike Appleman, and they immediately encouraged me to apply. I’m truly grateful for their support, which gave me the confidence to pursue this opportunity.
Have you been involved with OAFP/AAFP before?
During my first year of medical school, I attended several OAFP webinars, but I hadn’t yet stepped into a formal leadership role. Serving as the Ohio Student Delegate to the AAFP National Congress of Student Members was my first true leadership experience within OAFP.
From the beginning, the OAFP provided outstanding support, from preparing me for the delegate role to guiding me throughout the national conference and congress sessions. Their guidance made it possible for me to represent the voice of Ohio medical students on a national stage.
What did you gain from the experience of attending FUTURE?
Attending FUTURE as a student delegate was nothing short of inspiring. It was a space filled with passion, purpose and people who truly believe in the power of family medicine. Collaborating with students from across the country to write and debate AAFP policy resolutions was eye-opening. It gave me a clearer sense of what matters most to my peers, and the many ways we can collectively shape the future of healthcare.
The congress sessions themselves gave me insight into the structured, intentional process of medical advocacy, and allowed me an opportunity to dust off some parliamentary procedure skills I hadn’t used since my high school FFA days! I’m proud to have helped pass several meaningful resolutions on topics ranging from the domestic relevance and reciprocal value global health to enhancing family medicine education curriculum.
Beyond the congress sessions, I was moved by the energy of FUTURE. I had many meaningful conversations with residents, faculty and other students, especially during the residency fair and the FMIG Leadership Summit. I left feeling seen, encouraged and even more excited for a career in family medicine.
What were the two biggest takeaways for you?
I was reminded of the deep sense of community that exists within family medicine. Everyone I met, from students to seasoned physicians, shared a genuine passion for people and for the relationships that define this work. Being surrounded by that energy was grounding and reassuring, and it reminded me that this is where I belong.
I also gained an understanding of how student voices can meaningfully influence policy within organized medicine. It was empowering to know that even as students, we can initiate real change by coming together with shared purpose and using structured channels like the AAFP Student Congress.
Are planning to be a family physician?
Yes, I am very much interested in family medicine, specifically in rural community medicine and women’s health. My time in the Leroy A. Rodgers, M.D., Family Medicine Preceptorship Program this summer, combined with all the energizing conversations I had at FUTURE, only strengthened my desire to pursue a career in family medicine and have made me excited for what the future holds.
RELATED
Abigail Schwenk expressed gratitude to the NEOMED Department of Family and Community Medicine and the advisors of the AAFP-Family Medicine Interest Group.
The NEOMED AAFP-FMIG student organization was recognized as a Program of Excellence due to the organization’s commitment to fostering interest in family medicine and connection with family medicine physicians with creative ideas like “Fireside Chats,” small group sessions often hosted at a physician’s home to talk about family medicine, and procedural workshops to educate students on the broad scope of family medicine practice.