February 12, 2025
In December 2024, I had the privilege of attending the NCAFP Winter Family Physicians Weekend. The Winter Weekend has been a highlight for me each year throughout my medical training journey: this past event was my third time attending as a resident, after I had already attended twice as a medical student. As always, it was truly an enriching experience. It provides an invaluable opportunity to deepen one’s understanding of the diverse and evolving landscape of primary care by providing excellent lectures and connections with vendors.
I was able to network with many of these lecturers and vendors, who graciously offered to come to my residency program to share their expertise with my peers during our didactic time. I was also able to network with my peers in formal and informal settings. Alongside Dr. Morgan Parker (the outgoing NCAFP resident director), I led the resident section meeting, where we had a discussion with the residents in attendance that allowed them to share their experiences and discuss the challenges they face in their perspective programs. I shared with them all the Academy has to offer, from insurance plans to scholarship opportunities. It was great reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones to continue fostering these great connections with my peers and mentors.
I was also able to attend the Board of Directors meeting in my new role as Resident Director. Attending this meeting was a unique and eye-opening experience. It offered a behind-the-scenes look at how decisions are made at a higher level within the field. I gained insight into the strategic priorities of the NCAFP, the policies shaping Family Medicine, and the challenges which family physicians and their institutions face. The discussions were thought-provoking, and it was inspiring to see leaders in the field collaborate and advocate for improvements in training, patient care, and health care policy. I look forward to attending the next Board meetings in February, June, and December (during the next Winter Weekend!).
As Resident Director, I am looking forward to serving as a voice for my fellow residents and contributing to the advancement of Family Medicine in our state. I look forward to advocating for better educational resources, promoting resident wellness, and fostering a supportive community where residents can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another.
Much of this is facilitated through the resident section meeting, as I had mentioned. But another great opportunity to practice this goal is through a new opportunity for residents that the NCAFP offered during this recent Winter Weekend: the Chief Resident meeting. I attended this meeting and joined the Chief Residents from seven different programs across North Carolina to understand their issues and celebrate their successes. It was great seeing everyone build relationships and workshop ideas for one another’s programs. I will be able to attend the next chief meeting in February. I look forward to reuniting and learning how things changed for their programs after our last meeting. These collaborations are the strength of the Winter Family Physicians Weekend.
As I mentioned above, I have attended this conference as a medical student and a resident, and in December I will go as an attending physician. The Winter Family Physicians Weekend is an inspiring and informative event that provides a platform for learning, networking, and collaboration. Each year it serves as a reminder of the importance of staying engaged with the broader medical community and contributing to the ongoing growth and improvement of the field. I am so grateful to have attended this conference over the years, and I am so proud to be a part of this academy as your Resident Director.
This article appears in the winter issue of the North Carolina Family Physician, the NCAFP's quarterly magazine.
You can see all the fun that Dr. Wilcher and the other attendees enjoyed at the meeting by visiting our event spotlights and the photos we took there!