The Family Medicine Interest Group at KU School of Medicine-Wichita continues to increase its impact on the community, and the hard work has not gone unnoticed as the group was selected by the American Academy of Family Physicians for a Program of Excellence award for the sixth year in a row.

The Family Medicine Interest Group is a student organization at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, supported by the medical school and faculty, that offers hands-on experiences, volunteer opportunities, clinic hours and leadership development to prepare future leaders in family medicine. KU School of Medicine-Wichita is one of just 23 medical schools across the country to have its Family Medicine Interest Group receive an AAFP award this year.

“FMIGs are truly an investment in the future of family medicine and the health of our communities,” said AAFP President Jen Brull, M.D., FAAFP. “The Program of Excellence winners this year aren’t just inspiring – they’re actively shaping the future of primary care by creating meaningful programs, amplifying student voices and fostering a deep commitment to patient-centered care. These FMIGs are demonstrating the critical role family medicine plays in a strong health care system.”

The Family Medicine Interest Group in Wichita has an innovative Dark Vapor program led by Dania Jumpa, fourth-year medical student; Leslie De La Rosa, third-year medical student; and Anna Reimer, second-year medical student. Dark Vapor brings medical students into Sedgwick County elementary schools to teach fourth and fifth graders about the dangers of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Last year, the program reached over 2,000 students in the area.

“I’m proud of these students for their innovative work and their dedication to serving communities,” Brull said in a news release. “I can’t wait to see how these leaders continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible and elevate family medicine to new heights.”

Additionally, the Family Medicine Interest Group hosts the annual Doc for a Day event, which started in 2001 and inspires local high school students to pursue a career in medicine. Every fall, medical students in the group welcome high school students to a day of activities at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, where the high schoolers are introduced to medical education, and experience hands-on procedural and simulation training. Anna Trofimoff, third-year medical student who serves as the Doc for a Day chair, was named the 2025 Student Leader in Family Medicine by the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians.

Graduating medical students have praised the Family Medicine Interest Group for its impact on both students and the community. Eli Bullinger, M.D., a recent KU School of Medicine-Wichita graduate, said the group and its advisors – Tessa Rohrberg, M.D., and Lynn Fisher, M.D. – are “invaluable to medical students.”

“These dedicated faculty advisors create an environment where students at every stage – from first-years to fourth-years facing residency interviews – receive the kindness, compassion and quality instruction needed to navigate medical school’s challenges,” Bullinger said. “Dr. Rohrberg and Dr. Fisher help students thrive and believe in themselves, somehow finding time in impossibly busy schedules to offer personalized guidance and support. Through FMIG, they consistently go above and beyond to help students pursue their passions and successfully navigate the complex journey of medical education.”