Each summer, students and residents from across the country converge in Kansas City, Missouri, for the annual AAFP National Student and Resident Conference. This multi-day event is the largest residency fair of any specialty and gives students an opportunity to meet with residency representatives from across the United States.
Utah “Residency Row” was excited to have a new participant — the new Community Health Center Teaching Residency that will be accepting their first residents in the 2025 match. This brings us to five residencies in Utah, and is our first teaching center residency.
In addition to the residency expo, attendees are also able to participate in the student and residency legislative efforts as delegates from each state chapter. Delegates present and vote on resolutions that are then passed along to AAFP to help improve policy around graduate medical education.
This year, our student delegate was A. Jake Roush, a fourth-year medical student at Rocky Vista College of Osteopathic Medicine.
A. Jake Roush
My experience as the Utah Chapter Delegate at the AAFP National Conference was both inspiring and rewarding. I had the opportunity to connect with incredible residency programs by visiting different booths and meeting their representatives, which was a highlight of the conference. The Utah and Arizona gala at the Midland theater was another memorable experience, where I enjoyed meaningful conversations with students, residents, and faculty from both states.
Throughout the conference, I gained valuable insights into advocacy and the intricate processes involved in shaping policies within family medicine. It was energizing to spend time with fellow Utah students, all of us united by our excitement for the future of family medicine.
The procedural workshops were a significant highlight for me, particularly the OB boot camp, which provided hands-on experience that will be invaluable as I move forward in my training. Additionally, the workshops on applying to residency and preparing for the ERAS season were incredibly informative, helping me feel more confident and prepared for the journey ahead.
Leaving the conference, I felt deeply motivated to contribute to the advancement of family medicine, inspired by the knowledge, connections, and experiences I gained throughout the event.
UAFP provides stipends to help cover costs of attending the National Conference, and for the first time, we joined with the Arizona Chapter to co-host an evening social for all attendees from Utah or interested in matching to a Utah residency. It was a fun and successful evening that we will be repeating for future years.
If you are interested in participating as a delegate, or applying for a stipend, watch your email and our website for more information in the spring of 2025. It is a great leadership opportunity and a unique way to meet with residencies.
