A VOICE IN THE PROFESSION’S FUTURE By Serin Baker, OMS-III, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, FUTURE Student Delegate Attending the FUTURE Conference as a medical student and serving as a student delegate was an inspiring experience. I had the opportunity to participate in the Student Delegate Congress and vote on student-written resolutions intended to advance the family medicine profession, such as furthering behavioral health integration in medical school and residency training, improving clerkship curriculum standards surrounding reproductive care and potential topics for CME. I was also able to engage with program directors and residents who were genuinely excited about family medicine and created a welcoming space for students who share that passion. One of the highlights was hearing directly from residents about their specific experiences during residency, including their first delivery as interns, interactions with co-residents and hobbies they enjoy outside of residency. Conversations at the conference reminded me of the vast range of settings, patient populations and specialized tracks available within family medicine, reaffirming my commitment to pursuing a career that is community-driven, adaptable and grounded in continuity of care. I highly encourage any students interested in family medicine to attend this conference. CRAFTING A LIFE I LOVE IN FAMILY MEDICINE By Shahem Attallah, OMS-III, MBA, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine I came to FUTURE to decide, not to be dazzled. Programs are not only choosing me; I am choosing them, and I wanted a clear sense of which residencies match my style, my goals and the physician I am becoming. Walking into a hall with roughly 70% of programs felt like opening a living catalog of how family medicine can be trained and practiced differently. Arriving as a third-year osteopathic student turned out to be an advantage because curiosity outpaced anxiety. Exposure beat assumption every time I asked a real question and listened to how people talked about their work. Very quickly, I built a filter I could carry from booth to booth: Will this place grow my courage, my craft and my capacity to serve, or will it only fill my calendar? That single question changed the conversations I was having. St. Mark’s Residency Above and Below: Utah & Arizona Student & Resident FUTURE Social University of Utah Residency 10
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