Programs the Foundation Supports

Student Activities

Summer Externship Program:   Over 600 students have participated in the IAFP Foundation Summer Externship Program since the program began in 1990.   Selected students are paired with a family physician for a four-week period to observe the day-to-day routine of the specialty; each student receives $1,000 for their participation.  The IAFP Foundation firmly believes that a Summer Externship experience with a family physician has the potential to influence medical students to choose family medicine and ultimately provide cost-effective, preventive services to the people of Illinois.  2008 Summer Externship students and their preceptors. Click here to view list .  Read Perspectives From One Preceptor an article by Dr Deb Edberg about being a Summer Externship preceptor.  

Sign up to be a preceptor!  Click here for the form. 

The IAFP has been tracking the externs through residency to determine whether the program had an impact on students choice of medical specialty and practice location selection.  Early results indicate that 33% of the students who have participated in the Summer Externship Program are choosing family medicine.  That is more that DOUBLE the national average.  Also, 70% are choosing a primary care specialty, compared to the 20 percent national average.  Nearly half of these students are remaining in the state of Illinois.  These results indicate that this program is meeting with the mission of the IAFP Foundation, which is to enhance healthcare delivery to the people of Illinois.  

Tar Wars  The Illinois Tar Wars program has been fighting tobacco use in our schools since 1998. Over 300 schools have been matched up with a network of nearly 200 IAFP physicians, medical students, residents, nurses and other caring health professionals. These volunteers are in the communities teaching this valuable anti-tobacco lesson. By reaching out to fourth and fifth graders, before they try that first cigarette, we are making a difference! Click here for more info 

Planned Giving Program IAFP Foundation teams up with AAFP Foundation to offer ‘win-win’ - AAFP Foundation has developed a pooled investment trust that allows IAFP members to donate appreciated investment vehicles. In return for the donation, members get an immediate tax ‘write-off’, an ongoing annual payment, and recognition for investing in the future of family practice.