By Bright Zhou, MD
Family Medicine Resident, Stanford Health Care, O’Connor Family Medicine Residency
This August, as I start my last year of residency, I’m reflecting on how CAFP has been my home base for mentorship and networking within Family Medicine. Starting with my first Resident and Student Council meeting, I was struck by CAFP’s “come as you are” ethos, a group of physicians and staff who were warm and accommodating, and overjoyed to have resident involvement within the organization.
Over the next few years, I’ve said yes to many opportunities*, each of which came about through a conversation, a seemingly random moment where a staff member or physician mentor would turn to me and say “you’d be great for this position!” I reflect on how Dr. Emmeline Ha (senior resident at the time) brought me into this organization with a similar comment, and thus I have also been committed to bringing other trainees into CAFP with similar warmth and zest.
While it is challenging to balance resident workload with active involvement in CAFP - holding calls on the drive home from inpatient service, discussing meeting agendas while cooking dinner - I’ve been continually drawn to this community that so openly embraces one another and highlights the families, significant others, and pets that center us in our work.
Part appreciation, part advertisement, I hope this reflection encourages other medical students and residents to become involved with CAFP, and encourages other FM docs to bring their students and residents into the fold - starting with our POP! conference coming up this August 25-27th. This organization has jump started my Family Medicine career and I cannot wait to remain actively involved for years to come!
*I am fortunate to represent the resident voice though CAFP:
