Medical Students Encouraged to Choose Family Medicine

By Ben Boulden

(From left) incoming College of Medicine Dean Pope Moseley, M.D.; and UAMS physicians Mark Jansen, M.D.; and Mark Mengel, M.D.; enjoy refreshments with host UAMS’ G. Richard Smith, M.D., at a reception for second- and third-year medical students to discuss their future.

More particularly, whether family medicine would be the right choice for them.

In a reception hosted March 18 by then-College of Medicine Dean G. Richard Smith at Trio’s Restaurant, the students and some spouses listened to and got to ask questions of UAMS family medicine physicians about the rewards and realities of having a family medicine practice. Smith retired March 31 and Richard Turnage, M.D., is serving as interim dean.

The students also got to chat with incoming Dean Pope Moseley, M.D., who starts July 15.

Several faculty said one of the best rewards is enjoying long relationships with their patients and caring for people through many phases of their lives.

UAMS is near the top nationally of producing the most family medicine physicians. The event was part of a program funded by a grant from the federal HealthResources and Services Administration to encourage more physicians to choose family medicine.

This year, 30 of about 145 UAMS College of Medicine graduating seniors chose family medicine for their residencies, up from 25 last year.

Medical students discuss family medicine with Arlo Kahn, M.D., at  reception to encourage more family medicine physicians.

Other faculty who attended were Charles W. Smith, M.D., director of the primary care service line; Mark Mengel, vice chancellor for Regional Programs; DanKnight, M.D., chair of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine; Arlo Kahn, M.D., professor of family medicine; Jamie D. Howard, M.D., associate professor of family medicine; Mark Jansen, M.D., associate professor of family medicine, David Nelsen Jr., M.D., associate professor of family medicine; and Shashank Kraleti, M.D., assistant professor of family medicine. Family medicine resident Aaron Roberds, M.D., also participated.

 

 

 

David Nelsen Jr., M.D., second from right, and Dan Knight, far right, enjoy spending time with UAMS medical students.