Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.
Students
Click here to join the AAFP and IAFP – free for students!
Get involved with your Academy by joining a Member Interest Group!
The IAFP and your student leaders can attend your FMIG meetings (including virtual meetings)! Please contact Ginnie Flynn to schedule a date.
The 2026 President-elect Application is now open for the upcoming IAFP Student President-Elect position.
The application also outlines other roles and expectations. Deadline is April 30, 2026.
Key Requirements and Duties: Medical student members must currently be enrolled in an Illinois-based medical school, reside in Illinois, and have a graduation date of May 2028 or later. The president-elect will serve as Student President for the following term (July 2027 to June 2028) as the student member of the IAFP Board of Directors. Please note that this role requires a two-year commitment.
Serve as the Illinois delegate to the AAFP's FUTURE Conference, July 30 - August 1, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri.
|
Student Board Member
Shruthi Mekala
University of Illinois at Rockford
|
Student Delegate to the AAFP FUTURE Conference
Kavya Anjur
UIC College of Medicine
2025 Summer Externship student and Rosalind Franklin University - Chicago Medical School student Lucia Cho shares the service learning side of her sum… More...
The AAFP provides the only complete residency directory that allows you to search for family medicine residency programs by location, community setting, program type, program size, and more.
The Family Health Foundation Summer Externship Experience is partly funded by a matching grant from the AAFP Foundation. Funds for the Foundation to match the AAFP Summer Externship grants come from UIC, Gibson Area Hospital, and the AAFP Foundation Family Medicine Chapter Alliance, which is supported by members like you!
Applications for 2026 will open by May 1. Students must be AAFP members and assigned to our Illinois Chapter.
The Family Health Foundation of Illinois Summer Externship Experience offers an opportunity for pre-clinical medical students (currently in their first or second year) involved with their campus FMIG to gain practical, clinical experience in the practice of an Illinois family physician leader.
For 2026, the Family Health Foundation of Illinois offers a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a Full Scope Rural Medicine Small Practice Summer Externship Experience, and a UIC/Pilsen Food Pantry Summer Externship. You can apply for any of the three, and you may submit applications for more than one, just make sure to complete the essay question for each.
Each experience provides a $1500 stipend to the student after completing the four weeks, with all weekly reports and the final evaluation submitted online.
NOTE: Students must verify that their medical school's liability insurance covers their externship site. If it does not, they will need to obtain a temporary policy at their own expense through Academic Group.
This experience will expose the student to:
Frequently Asked Questions
Only M1 or M2 students currently serving or elected as incoming Family Medicine Interest Group leader may apply. All applicants must provide proof of liability insurance coverage in their application. Please have this before you access the online application.
You will spend four weeks with your preceptor – dates are included in the application.
You will be exposed a great variety of experiences, which are the core tenet of family medicine. You will be at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) where providers are employed and all patients are accepted, regardless of insurance status.
Students will receive a $1500 stipend.
You will receive payment after you and your preceptor submit final evaluations. Evaluations are available after the scheduled rotation is completed. Evaluations will be emailed to you to complete as an online survey. You must submit this information in a timely manner to receive timely compensation.
The Foundation will not tax your stipend. However, you will receive a 1099 from the IAFP Foundation for your payment and will need to submit that to your tax professional. The IRS will be notified of the payment made to you.
Either your school or you personally will need to provide malpractice coverage for your activities. If your school's coverage does not extend to your externship site, IAFP will provide you with a company where you can secure temporary coverage on your own.
No. By participating in the Summer Externship experience you’re not committing to family medicine, but you are committing to learning more about family medicine so you can make an informed evaluation of the specialty. You will also be serving in a location of great need for future physicians. Participation in the externship provides important hands on experience – that looks great on a resume and can also create networking connections for you in your future as you evaluate residency opportunities and a career path.
The Foundation staff will evaluate the applications and select participating students immediately after the closing date. Students will be notified by email and the selected students will have one week to accept or decline the opportunity.
It depends on your school. Check with your school-appointed coordinator for details.
You must contact Ginnie Flynn, Family Health Foundation of Illinois coordinator for this Summer Externship experience in writing at gflynn@iafp.com. If you have any concerns about your ability to participate in this program, please contact Ginnie Flynn with any questions as soon as possible.
If you are the selected student and decline, the opportunity will go to the next student ranked on the application evaluations.
If you accept the externship experience, you have until 30 days prior to your start date to cancel. So please carefully examine your schedule and personal responsibilities over the summer months before you apply. Professionalism is important and will be expected.
