Student interest group earns national recognition
The NEOMED Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) was recently awarded the 2026 Program of Excellence Award by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). NEOMED’s group was one of 21 medical school FMIGs recognized for their innovative efforts to inspire and recruit more students to pursue careers in family medicine.
“Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs) play a crucial role in developing the next generation of family physicians,” Sarah C. Nosal, M.D., FAAFP, president, AAFP, said in a press release announcing the award. “So much of what family physicians do is in relationship building, and that same spirit of community is what brings more students to the specialty.”
NEOMED’s FMIG coordinates efforts to increase students' experiences in medical school while simultaneously serving the surrounding community through programming, including physician networking, interactive workshops, student wellness events and community service. Last year, the group hosted hands-on clinical skills workshops, like joint injection and osteopathic manipulation techniques, as well as Fireside Chats and a subspecialty panel.
Second-year student Krish Parikh, who serves as community outreach chair, noted, “I think this recognition reflects the variety of programming our FMIG offered throughout the year. We gave students the opportunity to experience the many facets of family medicine and build a strong sense of community around the specialty.”
“I believe that receiving this award highlights the impact that a group of welcoming, compassionate and dedicated individuals can have both on and off campus,” said Ethan Mardovin, a second-year student who serves as co-president of the interest group. “What truly makes our organization unique is the community. From the advisors and physicians to the students, the FMIG is a community that cherishes inclusivity and strives to uplift one another. To me, the NEOMED Family Medicine Interest Group received the award because it is exactly what it sounds like: a family.”
Second-year medical student Katie Taliaferro, the group’s vice president, added, “For our group, this recognition validates our effort to build an active, welcoming community around primary care. For individual members, it serves as a powerful affirmation that choosing family medicine means entering a high-impact specialty centered on long-term patient relationships, preventive care, and health equity.”
FMIG Officers
The FMIG at NEOMED is led by:
- Ethan Mardovin and Judy Sun, co-presidents
- Katie Taliaferro, vice president
- Natalie Christiano, treasurer
- Grace O’Donnell, secretary
- Krish Parikh and Luke Miller, outreach officers
Student Advising Committee members include third-year students David Anthony, Leah Dobres and Abby Schwenk.
What makes the FMIG special?
The students shared their thoughts on what makes the NEOMED FMIG special:
Ethan Mardovin
“To me, the programs that reflect the community of our group and really make it shine are our Fireside Chats and hands-on workshops. Through the Fireside Chats, a local practicing family physician invites the members of the group for a dinner at their house. There, students hear more about all of the opportunities that family medicine has to offer over a delicious meal. I have not heard of other organizations having such a personal event, and I believe it just reflects how strong the community of family medicine is. Additionally, our organization hosted numerous workshops last year that helped our students gain real-world skills that we can apply to the clinical setting, including Osteopathic Manipulation Techniques (OMT) and joint injections.”
Grace O’Donnell
“A program that made FMIG stand out to me was the Fireside Chats. It was one of the first events I attended, and my favorite by far. Each student organization at NEOMED has a lot to offer, but FMIG provides students with a unique experience by hosting Fireside Chats. This event allows students to connect with primary care physicians over dinner in the physician’s own home. This event leaves the white coats behind and gives students the chance to listen and learn about family medicine without any outside pressure, just dinner and a conversation.”
Krish Parikh
“The Bridging the Community, Genetics and Primary Care event featuring a physician who serves the Amish community was especially impactful. It highlighted the diversity of family medicine and demonstrated how physicians can make a meaningful difference in unique and underserved communities, emphasizing the importance of rural and holistic care.”
What’s next?
The FMIG is hoping to build on the momentum into the new academic year.
“Students can expect a variety of opportunities to network with physicians, enhance invaluable clinical and personal skills, and serve the communities of Northeast Ohio,” said Mardovin.
Taliaferro noted that the group has planned expanded hands-on skills labs, networking opportunities with M3s, M4s and practicing physicians, panels exploring subspecialties within family medicine, service opportunities through local health fairs, and interprofessional events that mirror the collaborative nature of modern primary care teams. “We are so grateful to receive this recognition and look forward to further promoting engagement and opportunity within our campus community this school year!” she shared.
“People should expect FMIG to continue being a standard of excellence at NEOMED,” said Luke Miller, second-year student and outreach officer. “From our community involvement to future Fireside Chats, our goal is to educate and empower NEOMED students to consider the field of family medicine.”
The NEOMED FMIG will host its first event of the academic year, a Welcome Back Bonfire, on August 5. Learn more and register on CampusGroups.