Meet the FMIG Network National Coordinator Nailah Adams.

Name: Catherine Louw
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Year: MS2
Follow Catherine on Twitter: @louwc6

Catherine is a second-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, WA. Though she has stayed close to home through her academic career, Catherine volunteered abroad during her undergraduate education in Belize and Ecuador, helping establish day clinics and performing general health screenings while participating in global health education programs. She was also the 2010-11 recipient of the University of Washington School of Medicine Service Award. During her term as a regional coordinator, Catherine hopes to inspire people toward a career in family medicine by serving as a resource and giving them the tools to feel involved.

Why did you decide that you wanted to go to medical school? 
I decided to go to medical school because a career in medicine will allow me to be an educator, scientist, mentor, patient advocate, problem solver and lifelong learner.

How/why did you get involved with your FMIG? 
The FMIG at UWSOM is the most visible and active interest group, housed within the very supportive Department of Family Medicine Office. I became involved with the FMIG by attending a clinical skills workshop and eventually volunteering to help coordinate them. I decided to get involved not only because of my interest in family medicine, but also because I knew that the FMIG would provide me with support, opportunities and guidance toward pursuing a career in family medicine.

What about family medicine do you wish every medical student understood?
I wish every medical student understood that family medicine is not just about coughs and colds, but rather a specialty that challenges you to continue to learn to be able to treat your patients, from birth to death, regardless of what illness they may have. As a family doctor, you treat and care for your patients as a whole.

What’s your favorite thing about family medicine? 
My favorite thing about family medicine is that you can choose your own adventure. The broad spectrum of family medicine means you can add unique interests to your practice and find the best fit for you.

What has surprised you the most about family medicine?
The most surprising thing I have learned about family medicine is how committed the family physicians are to making a difference. They are fighting for patient rights day-in and day-out, providing quality care to their patients, serving on school boards and becoming an integral part of their community.

Name: Lauren Kendall
Hometown: Glen Ellyn, Illinois
School: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Year in School: MS3
Follow Lauren on Twitter: @laurenkendall7

Lauren is a third-year medical student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has been active in her school's FMIG, helping increase membership during her tenure, as well as with the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians as the 2012 student president. Her student leadership has also extended to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Medical Students for Choice and the American Medical Women's Association. Kendall hopes to take her desire to help fellow medical students realize the opportunities in family medicine national through her role as a regional coordinator.

Why did you decide to go to medical school? 
I went to medical school to learn what it means to work hard for something I believe in. I knew that, after completing med school, I could empower others to improve their own lives. I will be able to advocate for those who can't for themselves, and I will listen to those who haven't been listened to before.

How/why did you get involved with your FMIG? 
I got involved with the UIC FMIG to share my passion for family medicine with my fellow students.

What’s your favorite thing about family medicine?
The attitude of the practitioners — empathy, kindness, compassion — are so common in this field.

What has surprised you the most about family medicine?
I know that family physicians can perform a variety of procedures, but I was surprised to learn that family physicians used to perform cholecystectomies, tonsillectomies and more!

What about family medicine do you wish every medical studnet understood?
Family medicine can be anything you want it to be! Patient population, location, procedures, hours, lifestyle... all are your choice.

Name: Diana Tucci
Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh
Year in School: MS3
Follow Diana on Twitter: @Dianasplosion

Diana is a third-year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh. Although she knew she was interested in family medicine before attending her first FMIG meeting, she realized the opportunity to educate and inspire her fellow medical students who might not be as sure as she was in her first years of medical school. She served as president of the Pitt FMIG. Before accepting the role of FMIG Region 3 Coordinator, Diana held leadership positions with the University of Pittsburgh's Student Admissions Team and Public Health Area of Concentration. She is also a National Health Service Corps Scholar.

Why did you decide to go to medical school?
I love problem solving and, even more than that, I love working with people. I have always been passionate about health. I can't imagine a better combination of those than medicine.

How/why did you get involved with your FMIG?
I knew I was interested in family medicine, but I had missed a lot of FMIG events. It wasn't until late in my first year of med school that I actually contacted the FMIG leaders to see how I could help, which just goes to show that any time is a good time to get involved!

What's your favorite thing about family medicine?
Family medicine embraces continuity of care, which is central to my own concept of medicine as a field. I love the idea of developing life-long relationships with my patients and watching families grow.

What has surprised you the most about family medicine?
Meeting family doctors, being involved in my FMIG, and making so many connections through National Conference and the AAFP has really changed my outlook on how wonderful a career in family medicine can be. I never would have imagined that a medical specialty, and the people within it, could help me to grow so much as a person and a leader.

Name: Tate Hinkle
Hometown: Lanett, Alabama
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
Year in School: MS2
Follow Tate on Twitter: @bthinkle

Tate is a second-year student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, and a participant in the school's rural track. Tate has already been involved in leadership on a local and regional level through serving as president of his FMIG and as president of the Alabama Academy of Family Physicians Student Chapter, also serving as the student representative on the Alabama Academy's board of directors. Tate said he wanted to get involved on a national level because he believes, "that family medicine is not only the foundation of our health care system, but will be the leader in changing our health care system."

Why did you decide to go to medical school? 
I have always wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember. I have always loved science and always loved being around and involved with people, so medicine just always made sense for me to pursue.

How/why did you get involved with your FMIG? 
I got involved with FMIG because while I knew about family medicine, I wanted to know everything I could about it and all the different possibilities available to family physicians. Once I got involved I saw an entirely different side of medicine, besides the clinical aspect, that I became very interested in.

What about family medicine do you wish every medical student understood?
I wish that everyone could see the impact that family physicians have on patients' lives, and not just in treating their illnesses.

What’s your favorite thing about family medicine? 
I love the idea that each patient encounter is different and you never know what is behind each door. I also love the ability to do so many different models of practicing medicine. 

What has surprised you the most about family medicine?
I have always been surprised at how happy family physicians are no matter what they are doing.

Name: Nikki Henry
Hometown: Maraval, Trinidad and Tobago 
School: Duke University School of Medicine 
Year in School: MS3
Follow Nikki on Twitter: @nikkih712

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Nikki is an international medical student with all of her tertiary experience in the U.S. She serves as co-president to the Duke FMIG, and became a regional coordinator to help provide other FMIG leaders information and resources to improve the quality of the FMIG experiences. Nikki has a passion for working with the elderly, completing a project during her undergraduate education in which she recorded the stories and life histories of the elderly, and also conducting research on aging populations and delaying physical disability and mental decline among those populations. Nikki hopes to spend her career in clinical practice, but also to advocate at a national and international level for the health care needs of the elderly.

Why did you decide to go to medical school? 
I have always enjoyed listening to one's life story. A career in medicine would allow me to combine this interest with my love of science and caring for others. 

How/why did you get involved with your FMIG? 
As my interest in family medicine grew, I received tremendous support from members of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, Duke Family Medicine faculty and my Duke FMIG colleagues — so naturally I became a more active student member. 

What’s your favorite thing about family medicine? 
I really like that family doctors practice full-spectrum medicine and are able to foster long-term, meaningful relationships with patients, yet, if desired, can specialize in areas such as geriatrics, obstetrics or sports medicine (to name a few). 

What has surprised you most about family medicine? 
In addition to the diversity within family medicine — health policy, global health, public health, information technology — I was amazed to learn of the legislative efforts of family physicians in health care reform and in strengthening the pipeline for the training of future family physicians.

What about family medicien do you wish every medical student understood?
Family medicine is an exciting and challenging experience of being the front line of medicine. Family doctors see a high volume of patients with various medical problems. I imagine that could never get boring.

Name:  Kenetra Hix, MPH
Hometown:  Memphis, Tennessee 
School:  University of Tennessee Health Science Center School of Medicine
Year in School:  MS2
Follow Kenetra on Twitter: @kenetrahix

Kenetra Hix is a second-year medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center School of Medicine. Kenetra has been a member of her school's FMIG and Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapters since 2009, and also serves as Liaison to the Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS). Her goal during her term as Student Liaison to the SNMA is to increase awareness of FMIGs and SNMA and to facilitate collaboration between the two. She aspires to practice family medicine in her hometown of Memphis, TN, as the city still has many areas that are considered underserved.

Why did you decide to go to medical school?
My public health platform was health disparities. I wanted to know what I would be able to do to make the greatest change in all communities when it comes to the best quality of life. Health care itself is a fraction of what makes a person the healthiest that he or she can be. However, physicians have a huge impact, not only in the hospital or clinic, but also with policy — education, community access to quality health care, the availability of healthful foods to everyone, etc. I yearn to empower all communities to take charge of everything life has to offer, especially good health.

How/why did you get involved with your FMIG? 
I have attended two conferences to date and was encouraged by the last two SNMA Liaisons to seek the position. I love both the FMIG and SNMA with all of my heart and couldn't have thought of a better way to serve both organizations. 

What’s your favorite thing about family medicine? 
My favorite thing about family medicine is that I will be able to see many patients over and over. I will have a constant impact on a patient's health. Constant contact helps to build trust, trust helps to build compliance, and compliance helps to build healthier bodies and happier people. 

What about family medicine do you wish every medical student understood?
Family medicine is a field that has a component from all other fields of medicine. If you like to be skilled to do much, this is the way to go. Also, this field allows you to tailor your career to what you want it to be. Lastly, if you just love people, this is the field of medicine that allows you to express it every day.

What has surprised you the most about family medicine?
I have learned so much over the last several years; I am constantly amazed by the breadth of the field. The most surprising thing is that there is still more for me to learn!