Spotlight on the 2022 Foundation Scholarship Winners

The NCAFP Foundation would like to congratulate the following four medical students who won 2022 NCAFP Foundation scholarships:

Mereze Visage – Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM)

Mereze is Vice President and Geriatric Chair of CUSOM’s FMIG, Research Chair of CUSOM’s Student Government, an AAFP Family Medicine Leads

Scholarship winner, an ACOFP National Emerging Osteopathic Leader Award winner, Student Representative on the Executive Board, a William Morris Department of Osteopathic Medicine Award winner for Top Osteopathic Student at Campbell, and a member of Sigma Sigma Phi, the National Osteopathic Medicine Fraternity. Mereze encountered Family Medicine while working at CUSOM’s Mobile Clinic, saying, “I feel especially connected to this vulnerable patient population, as I remember what it was like when I was unable to speak English. Working at the clinic confirmed my passion for Family Medicine, as it allowed me to meet patients where they are at and form long-term relationships.”

Brinda Sarathy – UNC School of Medicine (UNCSOM)

Brinda is President of Medical Students for Choice at UNC, Service Chair of the American Medical Women’s Association, and a member of UNCSOM’s

FMIG. She was also a Paul A. Godley Art of Medicine Fellow. She says, “Family Medicine is the perfect specialty fit for me because it affords me the privilege of patient stories and continuing pursuits I am passionate about. I feel confident that Family Medicine will allow me to be an equitable primary care physician and carry on playing a role in patient stories.”

Sierra Fowler – Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM)

Sierra served as Site Representative at CUSOM’s Johnston Regional Site, Treasurer of CUSOM’s Student Alumni Association, Member in the Peer Navigator Program, and is a student member of STFM and CUSOM’s FMIG. Sierra says, “I found my passion in working in underserved healthcare. I learned that preventive care was key, healthcare was not simply prescribing medications, and the best healthcare came from an understanding of the patient population.” Her goal going forward is to perfect “serving underserved populations of North Carolina as a primary care physician.”

David Faircloth – Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM)

David is a member of Sigma Sigma Phi National Osteopathic Medicine Fraternity, a volunteer with the CUSOM Community Care Clinic, a volunteer with the CUSOM Mobile Clinic, and a member of CUSOM’s FMIG. David finds that Family Medicine allows him to fulfill his desire to know his patients holistically and finds “joy in being able to converse with patients through all their illness, how they connect and work through problems together.” He wants to serve a rural community like the one where he grew up and both advocate for and educate his patients.

Learn | Connect | Engage | Celebrate

2023 Family Medicine Academic Summit

Friday, Feb. 17 – Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023

Sheraton Imperial Hotel

Raleigh, Durham

Approximately 5 credits

Networking Dinner with 30-Minute

Hot Topic Exchanges

Charlotte

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center

Family Medicine Residency

Approximately 1.5 credits

2023 Virtual Complex Pain Project

Two Opportunities!

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.) or Saturday, May 6, 2023 (9 a.m. – 11 a.m.)

Approximately 2 credits

2023 Virtual Summer Symposium

Saturday, June 24, 2023

From your favorite location!

Approximately 6 credits

*Pre-Conference KSA on Friday, June 23, 2023

Networking Dinner with 30-Minute

Hot Topic Exchanges

Chapel Hill

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023

UNC Family Medicine Center

Approximately 1.5 credits

2023 Winter Family Physicians Weekend

Thursday, Nov. 30 – Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023

Omni Grove Park Inn | Asheville, NC

Approximately 30 credits

*Pre-Conference KSA on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023

Celebrate your commitment to providing the best possible care to your patients with these fantastic learning opportunities in 2023!

This article follows Part 1 of our Moms in Family Medicine series from the November 2022 issue. The first part explored some of the challenges that our member sources faced, while this part includes their advice for navigating those challenges, whom they look to for guidance, and how being a mom has shaped them into the successful family physicians they are today!