MEDICAL STUDENT PROGRAMS By Cameron Smith (MS4) Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
NCAFP Student Programs Help Cement My Interest in Family Medicine I was thrilled when asked to write an article for this magazine and I decided to use the opportunity to show my gratitude for what this association of family physicians has done for me during my medical school career.
June in eastern NC. During the first week of this experience, we networked with current Family Medicine residents, practiced procedures, and attended didactics and workshops in Greenville, NC. The week culminated in a kayaking trip along the Pamlico River. During my second week, I was fortunate to stay at the home of Dr. Aaron Lambert, meet his welcoming family, and shadow him and other physicians in a rural Mt. Pleasant practice. I consider this experience one of the key factors in my journey to Family Medicine because it was my first exposure to the scope, breadth, and possibilities available to family physicians.
I came into medical school interested in Family Medicine, among other fields. Since then, Family Medicine has become cemented in my mind as not only the best specialty overall, but the best specialty for me. All along the way, the NCAFP has been there to encourage, guide, and provide invaluable opportunities. My first meeting with Chapter staff was at the annual Family Medicine Day held in Durham. This meeting is jam-packed with a motivational keynote address, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to engage with dynamic training programs all interspersed with the occasional joke from Dr. Higdon, the current Academic Representative on the NCAFP board. NCAFP staff were as energetic as ever, welcoming and excited to meet budding physicians struggling to find the right path. Like most NC medical students, Tracie Hazelett was my first point of contact with the Academy and the robust community of family physicians throughout the state. Her continual support has taken me much farther than I could have gone on my own. I was encouraged to apply for the summer rural internship experience, in which I was privileged to participate during two weeks in
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Mr. Smith is a 4th year medical student at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM). He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT, prior to moving to NC. Once in medical school, he quickly became involved in the NCAFP through the Eastern Rural Health Program. After that experience, he sought other ways to get involved, which led to serving for two years on the Academy Board of Directors. In December 2019, he completed his term as the Student Director. During his first two years of medical school, Cameron served as President of the CUSOM Family Medicine Club and volunteered with Campbell’s Community Care Clinic. Cameron has completed his third and fourth-year clinical rotations in Fayetteville, NC.
My first trip to Asheville for the Winter Family Physicians Weekend was also a career highlight for me. I was impressed with the sheer number of people in attendance, so many of whom shared the same values and goals for the future of health care. The quality of the lectures was remarkable and the networking I was able to do with other students, residents, and practicing family physicians during the conference continued to impact me throughout my remaining time in medical school. During this event, I also had the honor of meeting other physician leaders and Academy staff, including the NCAFP’s EVP, Greg Griggs. Each time I have the pleasure of interacting with him and the entire Academy team, I am blown away. From the facilitation of high-level board meetings, explanation of intimate legislative policies, and later rallying the crowd (mostly you, the Academy’s membership) to donate thousands of dollars for student programming, their commitment is unmatched. Those generous donations have helped me and countless other students enjoy the benefits of conferences, clinical experiences, lectures, workshops, and net-
The North Carolina Family Physician
