Overview of the Advocacy Scholarship for New Faculty
Advocacy makes a real difference for patients and for family medicine. STFM supports five scholarships annually for new faculty to attend the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC. The next summit will take place in June 2026, providing an opportunity for participants to develop advocacy skills for personal and academic career growth.The application period is OPEN. Applicants must be members of STFM and fulfill all eligibility requirements.
Costs the Scholarship Covers
Scholarships cover the cost of registration, travel, hotel accommodations, and meals not provided by the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit up to $1500.
Scholarship Requirements and Eligibility
Awardees must write a report following attendance at the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit on one of the following topics: process of advocacy, content (issue areas of advocacy or lessons learned from the speakers), or how the skills learned can be applied to their role as faculty.An individual advocacy skill assessment and development plan will be provided prior to the summit for scholars to complete. Two follow-up calls over the course of the year after the conference will be used to assess progress and provide help and advice on the development plan you have identified.
Note: You are eligible for the scholarship even if you do not have prior advocacy experience. STFM believes any faculty member can become an effective advocate for fellow faculty, patients, and communities.Scholarship applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Current faculty member (up to 5 years post-residency or within five years of first faculty position) at a family medicine department or residency
- Current STFM member
- Completion of the Online Advocacy Course
- Ability to attend the advocacy summit in Washington, DC
Applying for the Advocacy Scholarship for New Faculty
Applications for the STFM Advocacy Scholarship for New Faculty are due February 28 each year. You will receive a confirmation email once all of your materials have been received. To apply, send the following items via email to Nina DeJonghe (ndejonghe@stfm.org):
- Application checklist
- Letter of recommendation from your current chair or program director
- Current curriculum Vitae
- Essay (maximum 600 words) about why you wish to attend the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., and detailing any prior advocacy experience
Criteria to Select Advocacy Scholars
- Strength of letter of recommendation
- Essay explaining why you wish to attend the conference, including: evidence of commitment to advocacy; and past or current career need for this training
- Past STFM involvement
- Past advocacy involvement, explaining how your work has inspired others
- Other considerations
Benefits of Scholarship
Legislative Awareness
Acquire a better understanding of family medicine's current legislative issues.
Inspire Change
Learn how to share your knowledge and experiences.
Discover Your Impact
Find out how useful these skills can be in your efforts with Congress and in your career.
Put Knowledge to Use
Apply what you've learned in meetings with legislators.
Past Recipients of Advocacy Scholarship
2023–2025 Scholars
2025
- Katryna Peacock, DO
- Natalie Hamilton, MD
- Bridget Foley, DO
- Chelsea Faso, MD
- Meg Tabaka, MD, MPH
2024
- Seetha Venkateswaran, MD
- Astrud Villareal, MD
- Morgan White, MD
- Peony Khoo, MD
2023
- Katherine Haga, DO
- Cara Smith, MD
- James Fahey, MD
2018–2020 Scholars
2020
- Brian Antono MD, MPH
- Natalia Galarza Carrazco, MD
- Audrey Gray MD, MPH
- Elizabeth Keegan Garrett, MD, MPH
- Alexa Lindley MD, MPH
2019
- Anna Goroncy, MD, MEd
- Kristina Gracey, MD, MPH
- Nichole Hansen-Cruz, MD
- Katherine Hughey, MD
- Brintha Vasagar, MD, MPH
2018
- Kari-Claudia Allen, MD, MPH
- Scott Rogers, MD
- Alison Shmerling, MD, MPH
- Jeffrey Walden, MD
- Nicholas Weida, MD
2015–2017 Scholars
2017
- Sarah Coles, MD
- Kathryn Freemam, MD
- Manasa Irwin, MD
- Sarah Stumbar, MD, MPH
2016
- Heather Bleacher, MD, MPH
- Monique George, MD
- Fabiana Kotovicz, MD
- Carrie Pierce, MD
- David Bauman, PsyD
2015
- Nicholas Butler, MD, MBA
- Dorothy Dschida, MD
- Jen Hartmark-Hill, MD
- Hetal Patel
- LaTasha Seliby Perkins, MD
2014
- Tammy Chang MD, MPH, MS
- Nicholas Cohen, MD
- Elizabeth Menzel, MD
- Scott Nass, MD, MPA
- Santina Wheat, MD, MPH
2013
- Penny Beach, MD
- Matthew Burke, MD
- Christina Cavanagh, MD
- Winston Liaw, MD, MPH
2013–2014 Scholars
2014
- Tammy Chang MD, MPH, MS
- Nicholas Cohen, MD
- Elizabeth Menzel, MD
- Scott Nass, MD, MPA
- Santina Wheat, MD, MPH
2013
- Penny Beach, MD
- Matthew Burke, MD
- Christina Cavanagh, MD
- Winston Liaw, MD, MPH
Testimonials From Past Advocacy Scholars
"I was not an advocate for family medicine before this conference. Now I see that I could open up a dialogue with elected officials about the issues that affect the health of my patients. I realized that as a family physician armed with an altruistic and broad-minded advocacy agenda, I am respected and listened to in the office of elected officials."
"It was such an honor to have received a scholarship to attend the 2013 Family Medicine Congressional Conference (now called the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit). The conference was overall a fantastic experience, and I would certainly recommend it to other family physicians. Dr Matt Burke and I run an annual health policy workshop for DC area faculty, residents, and medical students. I was able to incorporate concepts I learned at the conference into our workshop."
"The summit changed my view of the process of advocacy. Even though my brain has been programmed to think ‘evidence-based’ and look for the systematic reviews and statistics, that plays a very small role in advocacy. Legislators want to hear stories about how issues affect their constituents, and as a family doctor, I am great at telling my patients’ stories. I recognize now that every email sent or contact made with their office is a vote for the issue."
"As a result of the meeting, I have developed basic advocacy skills as well as a deeper understanding of key issues that impact medical education. The first day of the summit was packed with important information that is presented in an easy-to-understand and share format that was invaluable during Hill visits. Having the opportunity to be part of a visit without feeling solely responsible for its success or failure provided me with the confidence to speak up about important issues."
Related Advocacy Resources
Questions?
For general questions about this scholarship, contact Nina DeJonghe at the link below.
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