Meet this year's winners
Whether it’s a sore throat, a question about vaccines, or encouragement on your health journey, your
family physician is there to help. They’re the first person you turn to for care, advice, and reassurance,
and are the one you trust to help you feel your best.
To support the future of family medicine and celebrate the next generation of healthcare professionals,
the American Academy of Family Physicians (aka the nation’s largest medical org that supports all stages
of a family physician’s career) has recognized five medical students for their hard work, commitment to compassionate care, and dedication to family medicine by awarding them each a
$5,000 scholarship toward their education.
Get to know the winners (and learn more about these future family physicians!)
by clicking on their profiles below!
Editors: Emily Murphy • Designer: Sumi Dey This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% from Her Campus. © Her Campus Media 2025
ANAMARIA
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
“My experience during the pandemic solidified my commitment to becoming a trusted resource for patients.”
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Living in an area with some of the highest COVID-19 rates during the pandemic, Anamaria saw how disproportionately low-income communities were impacted. Wanting to help her community, she collaborated with various English and Spanish-speaking organizations to host informational sessions in the most impacted neighborhoods to provide support, advice, and comfort.
“A mother approached me and shared that her concerns were addressed, which reinforced my belief in the power of community-informed medical communication,” Anamaria said. As the first member of her family to pursue medicine as a career, she’s driven to pave the way for other Latinas through pre-med mentorship and community empowerment.
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
ANAMARIA
asia
The University of North
Carolina School of Medicine
“I want to be a trusted first contact for families impacted by trauma, poverty, and neglect.”
READ MORE +
erin
Creighton University School of Medicine
“I hope to empower patients to take control of their health and support them through unique challenges.”
READ MORE +
JESSICA
Medical College
of Wisconsin
“I strive to be there for my patients to help them overcome any obstacles brought on by a disease.”
READ MORE +
TAFANIE
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
“My exposure to family physicians as a child sparked a dream of becoming a physician myself.”
READ MORE +
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As the co-director of a free student-run clinic that helps uninsured patients navigate long-term primary care, Asia helped a patient who fell into a medical coverage gap receive free interim care. The experience affirmed her passion for guiding patients through vulnerable moments with dignity and support.
“As a Black woman who grew up in a low-income, single-parent household, I understand how structural inequities in healthcare affect entire families. I want to become the physician I wish my family had,” Asia said.
The University of North Carolina School of Medicine
ASIA
Erin was talking with a patient about the management of his Type 2 diabetes when she felt compelled to ask how he was doing mentally. In doing so, she learned that he was living in an unsafe environment and struggled to access meals. They started discussing new solutions, and Erin realized that had she not taken the time to ask these other questions, she may have failed to truly help him inside and outside the clinic.
“This encounter reaffirmed the type of physician I aspire to be, one who takes the time to understand patients' comprehensive needs,” Erin said.
Creighton University School of Medicine
ERIN
Before pursuing family medicine, Jessica was a Patient Coordinator, and while in that role, she met a young mother who had just been diagnosed with leukemia. The mother was scared, uncertain, and stressed about her future,
so Jessica promised that she would take good care of her. It was then that she knew she was meant to do more than coordinate care.
“I decided I wanted to be part of the solution, someone who could help patients navigate their health and overcome any obstacles brought on by
their disease,” Jessica said.
Medical College of Wisconsin
JESSICA
As a first-gen American raised in a single-parent household, Tafanie witnessed firsthand the disparities that can arise from limited access to quality care and food, preventive services, and insurance coverage. But growing up with a caring family doctor, she also witnessed how positive patient-provider relationships and compassionate, quality care were transformative in improving health outcomes.
“I realized that I care deeply for people and their well-being and want to create a lasting impact on my patients, too,” Tafanie said.
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
tafanie
ANAMARIA
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
“I am most looking forward to being an advocate for my patients both inside and outside the clinic.”
READ MORE +
ANAMARIA
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
“I am most looking forward to being an advocate for my patients both inside and outside the clinic.”
READ MORE +
Asia
The University of
North Carolina
School of Medicine
“One thing I wish everyone knew about family medicine is how diverse and dynamic it truly is.”
READ MORE +
Asia
The University of
North Carolina
School of Medicine
“One thing I wish everyone knew about family medicine is how diverse and dynamic it truly is.”
READ MORE +
Anamaria is a passionate future physician whose journey into family medicine was inspired by caring for her family member during their cancer treatment. She is committed to providing compassionate, culturally inclusive care and being a strong advocate for her patients both inside and outside the clinic. As the proud first member of her family on the path to becoming a physician, Anamaria is driven to pave the way for other Latinas through pre-med mentorship and community empowerment.
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
ANAMARIA
Anamaria is a passionate future physician whose journey into family medicine was inspired by caring for her family member during their cancer treatment. She is committed to providing compassionate, culturally inclusive care and being a strong advocate for her patients both inside and outside the clinic. As the proud first member of her family on the path to becoming a physician, Anamaria is driven to pave the way for other Latinas through pre-med mentorship and community empowerment.
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
ANAMARIA
It’s evident that Erin cares deeply about
her future patients based on her passions
for prevention, education, and partnering with patients to improve health outcomes at every stage of life. She looks forward to advocating for underserved communities and working to close gaps in access to quality, compassionate care. For Erin, family medicine is a powerful way to build lasting relationships and drive meaningful, long-term change in people's lives.
Creighton University School of Medicine
erin
As someone who once worked in healthcare nonprofits, Jessica wants to use her experiences and knowledge to help improve the world of healthcare — and she’s starting by becoming a trusted family physician herself. In the future, when working in the diverse role of family medicine, she looks forward to being an educator, an advocate, and a supporter for her patients — being there for them with preventative care, throughout different diagnoses, and during all milestones in their lives.
Medical College of Wisconsin
JESSICA
Responses have been edited for length
Responses have been edited for length