Two Utah Family Medicine Residents Selected for AAFP Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute
As the health care field grows increasingly complex, there’s an ongoing need to develop leaders in family medicine: Medical skills and leadership skills are both required to successfully guide this in-demand specialty into the changing future.
To meet this need, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation sponsors the Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leadership Institute, a year-long leadership development program offered to a select group of medical students and residents. The Foundation is pleased to announce that two residents from Utah have been selected!
Anita Albanese, a resident completing her first year at University of Utah Health Family Medicine Residency and Elise Blaseg, a new intern starting this summer at St. Mark’s Family Medicine Residency, have been chosen as one of only 30 participants in the 2022 program.
“Patients, families, and communities look to family physicians for guidance in areas from medical care to prevention programs to legislative input,” says David R. Smith, MD, MPH, FAAFP, and president of the AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees. “We need doctors who understand the big picture and are prepared to lead. Anita has demonstrated the potential and aptitude to be an incredible leader, and we’re excited to have her in the Emerging Leadership Institute.”
Dr. Albanese and Dr. Blaseg will each receive a $1,000 scholarship and will attend the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students as part of the Emerging Leadership Institute. Scholars choose one of three leadership tracks to study – Policy & Public Health, Personal & Practice, or Philanthropic & Mission-Driven – and take part in a project management workshop. Throughout the year, the scholars work with a volunteer family physician mentor to complete a leadership project related to their tracks.
About the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation The AAFP Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Its mission is to advance family medicine through philanthropy, using humanitarian, educational, and scientific programming to improving health. For more information, please visit www.aafpfoundation.org.