September 25, 2015

Society of Teachers of Family Medicine elects student Phillip So to Board of Directors

Wayne State University School of Medicine senior medical student Phillip So, M.P.H., was elected to the American Academy of Family Physicians' Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Board of Directors at its National Conference for Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students.

The Detroit resident, elected during the conference held July 30-Aug. 1 in Kansas City, Mo., will serve a one-year term representing the student view on issues pertaining to student and resident education in Family Medicine. He will attend regular board meetings, phone conferences and major conferences, including the November Association of American Medical Colleges National Conference in Baltimore; the April STFM Annual Spring Conference in Minneapolis; and the August AAFP National Conference in Kansas City. He will also serve as the contact point for any students attending the January 2015 STFM Conference on Medical Student Education in Phoenix, Ariz.

"In Family Medicine, Mr. So has discovered a blueprint for his life's work as a physician. Given his experience and special interest in a future career in medical education, he will be a valuable asset to the STFM representing the student perspective," said Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences Margit Chadwell, M.D., '94.

Dr. Chadwell, the Family Medicine Interest Group's faculty advisor, has worked with So on several initiatives and is a member of the STFM. "He strongly values the type of mentorship that a leadership position in the STFM could provide for him. As a member of the STFM, I certainly look forward to having him as a colleague in the near future."

The fourth-year medical student is pursuing a Family Medicine residency.

"I believe that primary care, and Family Medicine particularly, is going to be the driving force in improving health and health care in America," he said. "I hope to work with leaders in Family Medicine to find ways to inspire students to explore and choose our specialty. I want to start with early exposure to Family Medicine and continuity of care, along with mentorship from upperclassmen and faculty in Family Medicine."

He received a master of public health degree from Emory University School of Public Health in 2011, and worked for the World Health Organization in China before coming to the WSU School of Medicine. Here, So coordinated health screenings and education with the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association. Following his first year of medical school, he returned to his native California to complete a summer externship in Family Medicine.

"I loved it, and also had the opportunity to do some primary care research on Graduate Medical Education. I ended up presenting the work at STFM conferences, where I got in touch with WSU Family Medicine faculty and began talking about ways to get more involved," he said.

He joined the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians Education Committee, and earlier this year organized the first statewide leadership summit for Family Medicine interest groups at medical schools in Michigan.

He ran for the same board position last year.

"The first time I had run, I had no experience with Family Medicine at the national level, let alone the local level. This year I came to the position with a better idea of how to advocate for Family Medicine. I also had more experience with the MAFP and the AAFP," he said. "When I gave my speech, I told the story of how I was inspired by my colleagues at the conference last year and how I wanted to return worthy for the position I had been unable to obtain the previous year. I was humbled and excited to be elected, and I couldn't have done it without the support of the MAFP the entire year."

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