Infertility in Medicine: A Personal Journey with Brintha Vasagar, MD, MPH

Infertility affects physicians at nearly twice the rate of the general population, but often only gets discussed behind closed doors. This episode of The STFM Podcast brings one of those private conversations into the open as Dr. Brintha Vasagar shares what she has learned from her personal journey with infertility. She reflects on how being a patient has reshaped her approach to care, unpacks the hidden costs and emotional toll of building a family in medicine, and offers heartfelt advice for residents, trainees, and junior faculty navigating similar paths.Hosted by Omari A. Hodge, MD, FAAFP and Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MDCopyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Resources:American Medical Women’s Association’s (AMWA) Fertility Working GroupHigh Infertility Rates and Pregnancy Complications in Female Physicians Indicate a Need for Culture Change - Ann Surg.Physician Fertility: A Call to Action - Academic MedicineBrintha Vasagar, MD, MPH:Brintha Vasagar MD, MPH, is a board-certified family medicine physician and the Chief Medical Officer at Progressive Community Health Centers in Milwaukee, WI. A survivor of the 2004 tsunami that devastated South Asia, she has spoken before members of Congress and the United Nations about international health issues and disaster preparedness. Dr Vasagar continues to be passionate about health communication and has been featured on outlets such as NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox News, NewsNation, US News and Huffington Post. When she is not busy seeing patients or volunteering in the community, Dr Vasagar enjoys outdoor adventures with her family.Link:stfm.org/stfmpodcast092025 

The final installment in our leadership series with the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM) explores how to cultivate new leaders and guide your department forward toward collective growth. In this episode of The STFM Podcast, Dean Seehusen, MD, and Beth Wilson, MD, MPH, MS-HPEd, unpack the distinctions between coaching, mentoring, and sponsoring, as well as how to use each effectively to build a diverse culture of resilience and development within your institution. They also share strategies for identifying emerging talent, fostering inclusive pipelines, and supporting growth across all career stages.Hosted by Omari A. Hodge, MD, FAAFP and Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MDCopyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Resources:Emerging Leaders FellowshipADFM Leader Development Committee -  Resources from the Leader Development Committee for New & Interim ChairsADFM LEADS FellowshipMindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. DweckHarvard School of Public Health Program for Chairs of Clinical Services Guest Bio:Elisabeth "Beth" Wilson, MD, MPH, MS-HPEdElisabeth Wilson, MD, MPH, MS-HPEd is Chair of the Department of Community & Family Medicine at Dartmouth Health and Geisel School of Medicine.  As Chair, Dr. Wilson is responsible for the advancement of Dartmouth’s academic and clinical mission.  She leads a system-wide primary care leadership committee, oversees the oldest Practice-Based Research Network in the country, and recently launched a new regional primary care research and policy center.  She also has the honor of working with Dartmouth medical and public health students committed to serving under-resourced communities.  Dr. Wilson is a member of the Primary Care Centers Roundtable and recently served on the board of the Association of Departments of Family Medicine.Prior to joining Dartmouth in 2022, Dr. Wilson held the position of Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Maine Medical Center for five years.  During that time, she served as the Executive Director of the Preble Street Learning Collaborative, an academic-community partnership to address unmet needs of people experiencing homelessness in the Portland area.  Dr. Wilson spent the first two decades of her career at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) where she completed her residency and research fellowship, after receiving a dual MD-MPH degree at Tufts University School of Medicine.  While at UCSF, she held the positions of Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Director of the Northern California Faculty Development Fellowship, Dean’s Diversity Leader for the Differences Matter initiative, and founding Director of the Program in Medical Education for the Urban Under

Leadership development is more than titles and advancement—it’s a continual process of growth, self-discovery, and adaptation. Part two of our Lifecycle of Leadership series with the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM) explores how leaders find their voice, navigate common pitfalls like micromanagement and impostor syndrome, and learn to delegate with purpose. Seasoned leaders, Peter Catinella, MD, and Jehni Robinson, MD, FAAFP, discuss the challenges of introverts and extroverts, the importance of mentorship, mastering the language of leadership, and balancing impact with well-being. Our guests offer real-world insights on leading with clarity and intention while embracing progress over perfection.Hosted by Omari A. Hodge, MD, FAAFP and Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MDCopyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Resources:Emerging Leaders FellowshipLeadership through Scholarship FellowshipFamily Medicine Leadership Development OpportunitiesLeadership Opportunities - How to get involved at STFMADFM Leader Development Committee -  Resources from the Leader Development Committee for New & Interim ChairsADFM LEADS FellowshipPeter Catinella, MDDr Catinella has over 30 years of experience in several academic institutions, and currently serves as the as Department Chair at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Department of Family Medicine-Transmountain. His prior leadership positions included serving as the Chief Medical Information Officer at the University of Arizona’s Health Network and the Clinical Vice Chair in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of Arizona-Tucson, Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs at the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah and as Director of its Public Health Program, and residency program director at Indiana University. He recently chaired the Leader Development Committee of the Association of Departments of Family Medicine and was a member of its Board of Directors during that tenure.Dr Catinella received his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and his Master of Public Health from the University of South Florida. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.Jehni Robinson, MD, FAAFPDr Jehni Robinson is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Associate Dean for Primary Care at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. She is President of the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM). Dr Robinson led development of a new Family Medicine residency, graduating its first class in 2024 and co-founded USC Street Medicine Program in 2018, which brings care to unhoused people in Los Angeles. She received the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Advocate Award for this work .  Prior to coming to USC, she served as Chief Medical Officer for The Saban Free Clinic, also known as The Los Angeles Free Clinic, and taught in the Harbor UCLA Transforming Primary Care Faculty Development Fellowship. She received her undergraduate degree from Stanford and her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine. She comple

Effective leadership is about more than decision-making—it’s about advocacy, collaboration, and advancing a shared mission. In partnership with the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM), STFM kicks off a three-part series on The STFM Podcast exploring the lifecycle of leadership in academic family medicine. In this first episode, Grant Greenberg, MD, and Wanda Cruz-Knight, MD, MBA, CPE, FAAFP, discuss how to lead within the complex ecosystems of academic medical centers and health systems. From advocating for departments to building coalitions and managing institutional change, they share insights on what it takes to lead with impact.Hosted by Omari A. Hodge, MD, FAAFP and Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MDCopyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Resources:STFM Understanding Health Systems CoursesSTFM Leading Change CourseSTFM Emerging Leaders FellowshipSTFM Quick Consult - Connecting STFM members for professional development, coaching, and mentorshipADFM Leader Development Committee -  Resources from the Leader Development Committee for New & Interim ChairsADFM LEADS FellowshipGuest Bios:Grant Greenberg, MDDr. Greenberg is the Chief Medical Executive for Primary Care with oversight of Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, and ExpressCARE operations.  Since joining Lehigh Valley Health Network in October 2016, Dr. Greenberg has also served as the Leonard Parker Pool Endowed Chair of Family Medicine and is a Professor of Medical Education and Family Medicine for the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. Greenberg received his undergraduate degree in Biology and English from the University of Michigan.  Before medical school, he received a master’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.  He received his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI.  He completed his residency training in Family Medicine at the University of Michigan and completed a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.  He has also completed the Health Management Academy’s GE Scholars Fellowship. Dr. Greenberg is active with the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, serving as the Chair of the Membership Committee, participating on the Leadership Development Committee, contributes to the steering committee for the “LEADS” fellowship, and is on the Board of Directors.  Dr. Greenberg is a contributor to the MP3 collaborative “Making Primary Care and Population Health Primary” sponsored by  the ABFM.  Dr. Greenberg has been a member of the American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Round Table since its inception, serving on the Screening and Implementation Work Group, the Early Detection Strategies Work Group,  and the Fiscal Health Work Group.  He has 4 children (mostly adult, but still “on the payroll”).Wanda Cruz-Knight, MD, MBA, CPE, FAAFPDr. Cruz-Knight is the Owen L. Coon Endowed Chair for the Department of Family Medicine at Endeavor Health and Clinical Professor at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and completed her residency training in Family Medicine a

Building Equity into Health Care AI: From Promise to PracticePresented by Irene Dankwa-Mullan, MD, MPH, Dartmouth CollegeSTFM Annual Spring Conference 2025 Blanchard Lecture | Wednesday, May 7, 2025As the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care accelerates, the promise of improved patient outcomes and operational efficiencies is accompanied by critical concerns about the impact on health equity. Family medicine, with its commitment to holistic, patient-centered care, plays a vital role in ensuring that AI solutions contribute to more equitable health care delivery rather than perpetuating existing disparities.In this keynote presentation, the presenter will explore how health care AI can be harnessed to advance equity while also addressing the significant risks posed by biased data and flawed algorithms. Drawing on her work in AI ethics and health equity, Irene will provide a practical framework for the intentional design and deployment of AI tools that promote fairness in patient care. She will discuss key strategies for mitigating biases in clinical algorithms, ensuring diverse patient representation in AI training data, and advocating for policies and practices that uphold equity at every stage of AI development.This session will empower health care professionals and educators to actively engage in shaping AI’s future—transforming concerns into action by advocating for responsible AI use, inclusive design processes, and equitable outcomes for all patient populations.Learning ObjectivesAt the end of the session each participant should:Identify potential sources of bias in health care AI systems and understand their impact on health equityUnderstand the principles of equitable AI design and deployment in clinical settingsExplore strategies for family medicine educators to advocate for the intentional development and use of AI technologies that promote health equityDevelop actionable steps to ensure diverse representation and fairness in data used for health care AI algorithmsRecognize the role of health care professionals in shaping the future of AI to achieve more equitable patient outcomesCopyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Irene Dankwa-Mullan, MD, MPHIrene Dankwa-Mullan, MD, MPH, is a leading expert at the intersection of artificial intelligence, health equity, and clinical care, with over a decade of experience driving innovation in the health care industry. She has worked extensively with academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and health care systems to develop equitable AI frameworks that ensure the fair and inclusive deployment of technology in medicine. Her expertise lies in integrating AI and machine learning tools into clinical workflows while advocating for policies that prioritize diverse patient populations and mitigate systemic biases in data and algorithms.Dr Dankwa-Mullan currently advises on how to evaluate health care delivery systems' readiness to procure, evaluate, and deploy AI solutions that adhere to the highest ethical and technical standards. She also works with early-stage health technology start-up companies, where she leverages her industry experience and expertise to build fair and inclusive AI solutions. She has published widely on the ethical implications of AI in health care and frequently speaks at national and international conferences on the role of AI in advancing health equity. She is passionate about educating the next generation of health care leaders to be advocates for responsible, patient-centered AI. She is committed to ensuring that AI serves as a tool for reducing health disparities, not exacerbating them.

What Does It Meant To Be A (Family) PhysicianPresented by Thomas L. Schwenk, MD, University of NevadaSTFM Annual Spring Conference 2025 General Session | Monday, May 5, 2025The enduring values of family medicine center on the compassionate, comprehensive care of patients over time. That care has defined family medicine and motivated family physicians for decades. Today, simply providing excellent care for patients may not be enough in the face of an extraordinarily perverse and dysfunctional health care system that often does everything in its power to make caring for patients difficult, stressful and discouraging. The regenerative power of the physician-patient relationship is often compromised and thwarted by a health care system that ranks as the worst in the world among developed countries. The health care system rides on the backs of family and other primary care physicians, and those backs are bending painfully under the system’s weight.The solution lies in using the power of the physician-patient relationship as the source of motivation and energy to fight for the very soul of our profession, fight for the core of what it means to be a family physician, fight for operational changes that are designed for quality instead of efficiency, fight for informational and technological solutions that promote continuity, and fight for model operations that show our learners how attractive family medicine can be. This fight will require leadership at all levels of the discipline of family medicine. Through stories and personal anecdotes from his career, the presenter will illustrate the regenerative power of the physician-patient relationship and the power of the family physician’s role as an agent for change.Learning ObjectivesAt the end of the session each participant should:Be exposed to the core importance and regenerative power of the physician-patient relationshipHave the opportunity to reflect on their own commitment to the core attributes of the physician-patient relationship as the motivation to fight for operational changes in the health care systemHave the opportunity to consider their role as a leader in preserving and supporting the physician-patient relationshipCopyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Thomas L. Schwenk, MDThomas L. Schwenk, MD, holds an appointment as dean emeritus at the University of Nevada, Reno, having served as dean of the School of Medicine and Vice-President of Health Sciences from 2011–2021.Dr. Schwenk earned his B.S. degree in chemical engineering and M.D. from the University of Michigan. He trained at the University of Utah and practiced in Park City, Utah, before returning to the University of Michigan where he served as chair of the Department of Family Medicine from 1986–2011. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Family Medicine and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2002. He also served for four years on the Administrative Board of the Council of Deans of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Dr Schwenk’s research has focused most recently on mental health and wellness in medical students, residents and physicians. He has co-authored over 160 publications, and has consulted to over 50 medical schools and teaching hospitals in various capacities. All Episodes

Helping a patient with chronic pain can overwhelm even the most eager residents. Stephen K. Stacey, DO, introduces a transformative approach to whole-patient pain management which partners his osteopathic roots and military background. Dr Stacey guides listeners through the MAGIC model: Multimodal, Active, Goal-based, Interdisciplinary, and Comprehensive care, empowering residents to engage their patients in meaningful, multifaceted treatment. Faculty will gain insights into how teaching MAGIC reshapes resident attitudes, enhances clinical confidence, and creates deeper, more effective interactions with chronic pain patients.Hosted by Omari A. Hodge, MD, FAAFP and Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MDCopyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Resources:An Interprofessional Approach to Chronic Pain Management and Education - Fam Med.Improving Chronic Pain Management in a Family Medicine Residency - Fam Med.Stephen K. Stacey, DO:Dr. Stephen Stacey is the Director of Osteopathic Education for the Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Residency in La Crosse, where he is dedicated to training future physicians in comprehensive, whole-person care. As a skilled osteopathic physician, he specializes in osteopathic manual medicine and holistic treatment for chronic pain, helping patients of all ages achieve better health and overcome barriers to an active lifestyle. Before joining Mayo Clinic, Dr. Stacey served as a battalion and flight surgeon in the U.S. Army. During his service, he deployed to Poland and Ukraine, where he played a vital role in training NATO allies in battlefield trauma care. His military experience has reinforced his deep commitment to patient-centered, hands-on medicine. Outside of his medical practice, Dr. Stacey is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys trail running, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Most importantly, he loves spending quality time with his wife and five children. Dr. Stacey attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Family Medicine, Peak Vista Community Health Centers.Link:www.stfm.org/stfmpodcast052025 

Family medicine professionals are deeply committed to providing high-quality care for their patients. However, they also recognize that political decisions significantly impact the communities they serve. In this episode, Nina DeJonghe, Director of Government Relations at STFM, shows us how to turn our passion for patient care into advocacy action. She pulls back the curtain on Congress and its operations, and champions the surprising efficacy of constituent letters. Ms DeJonghe highlights STFM resources to help you advocate at both the state & federal levels, shares ways you can influence national health care policies, and provides a plethora of resources to engage your powerful voice for change in family medicine.  Hosted by Omari A. Hodge, MD, FAAFP and Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MDCopyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Resources:Family Medicine DEI Advocacy ToolkitCAFM Advocacy Action Center - Voter VoiceAdvocacy Scholarship for New Faculty - scholarship to attend the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (FMAS) in Washington DCSTFM Advocacy Resources and Key IssuesSTFM Advocacy CourseOther Podcast Episodes:URM JAM Podcast Episode 16: Serve Your Community Through Family Medicine Advocacy with Jehni S. Robinson, MD, FAAFPThe STFM Podcast July 2022: Family Medicine’s Place in Advocacy with Andrea Anderson, MD, FAAFPGuest Bio:Nina DeJonghe, MPP, is a seasoned public policy professional with several years of leadership, legislative, and non-profit experience. As the Director of Government Relations for the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM), she oversees the advocacy functions for the Council of Academic Family Medicine (CAFM), which comprises the leadership of academic family medicine organizations. Nina liaises with Congress, federal agencies, external organizations, and relevant stakeholders to coordinate efforts that advance family medicine priorities. Her current advocacy efforts address critical issues such as workforce shortages, increasing funding for primary care research, expanding Graduate Medical Education (GME), and enhancing patient accessibility to healthcare services to improve community outcomes nationwide.Nina is a Michigan native. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in public policy from George Mason University. She has significant success working towards effective policy solutions, thoughtful partnerships, and accessibility to critical funding and resources. She has dedicated her professional career to strengthening marginalized and underserved communities.Link:www.stfm.org/stfmpodcast042025 

Presented by Adrian N. Billings, MD, PhD; Texas Tech UniversitySTFM Conference on Medical Student Education 2025 Scott Fields Lecture | Sunday, February 2 2025In the evolving landscape of American health care, the call to practice and serve in rural communities offers a profound and transformative opportunity for clinicians. This presentation delves into the powerful concept of accompaniment—an approach where physicians not only deliver care but also actively engage with and support their patients and communities. For medical students aspiring to a career marked by meaningful impact, the rural setting offers a unique and inspiring canvas. Rural areas often face significant health care disparities, including limited access to medical resources and specialized care. This context demands a new kind of medical professional — one who is not only skilled in clinical practice but also deeply committed to community engagement and advocacy. The role of accompaniment involves more than just treating illness; it requires a holistic approach to patient care, emphasizing empathy, education, and empowerment.Through accompaniment, physicians forge strong relationships with patients, understanding their unique challenges and needs. This model of care fosters trust and collaboration, leading to more effective and personalized treatment strategies. Additionally, it empowers healthcare professionals to become advocates for systemic changes that address the root causes of health inequities. Embracing a career in rural medicine through the lens of accompaniment offers a pathway to profound professional fulfillment and societal impact. Accompaniment aligns medical practice with the broader goals of social justice and health equity. For aspiring physicians, this approach not only enhances our clinical skills but also instills a deep sense of purpose and connection to the communities we serve. A call to service through accompaniment emerges as a beacon of hope and inspiration, guiding future medical leaders toward a more compassionate and equitable future.Learning ObjectivesUpon completion of this session, participants should be able to:Describe causes and consequences of rural health disparities.Justify the practice of medicine outside the walls of a health care facility to combat social determinants of health.Value the concept of accompaniment as it relates to a career of service in medicine.Copyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Adrian N. Billings, MD: Dr Adrian Billings, of Alpine, Texas, is a National Health Service Corps Scholar alumnus, the chief medical officer of Preventative Care Health Services FQHC in the rural Big Bend of Texas, professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, associate academic dean of Rural and Community Engagement, and senior fellow of the F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Additionally, he serves as senior fellow of Health Equity with the Atlantic Institute. Dr Billings has been a career-long community physician along the rural Texas-Mexico border of west Texas. He is an elected school board trustee for rural Alpine Independent School District, serves as an officer in the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, and works on the Board of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved. Dr Billings is passionate about rural health care workforce development and enabling rural borne and educated students opportunities to enroll in health care training programs.Link: https://www.stfm.org/stfmpodcastMSE25Closing

Presented by Karen Hauer, PhD; University of California, San Francisco STFM Conference on Medical Student Education 2025 Scott Fields Lecture | Saturday, February 1 2025Bias in assessment of medical learners presents a critical, ongoing challenge to the quality of medical education. Experiences of bias may manifest in access to learning opportunities as well as in quantitative ratings and qualitative comments describing performance. This bias interferes with learners’ developmental progress through training and has consequences for their future careers and the patients they may serve. Solutions to address bias are needed for individual faculty and leaders designing and implementing education systems. This session will review the literature on the causes and consequences of bias in assessment of learner performance in medical education. Dr Karen Hauer will discuss recommendations to avoid bias in assessment drawn from the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Conference on Ensuring Fairness in Medical Education Assessment: Conference Recommendations Report. The speaker will share resources for implementing recommendations and using them in faculty development.Learning ObjectivesUpon completion of this session, participants should be able to:Identify causes and consequences of bias in assessment of clinical learnersApply recommendations to avoid bias in assessment Describe the design and implementation of an equitable assessment systemCopyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Karen Hauer, PhD: Dr Hauer is vice dean for Education and Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). As vice dean, she is responsible for post-baccalaureate premedical, undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education across the multiple UCSF clinical training sites. In her prior position as associate dean for Competency Assessment and Professional Standards, she designed and led the program of assessment in the UCSF School of Medicine Bridges curriculum and developed and directed the School’s medical student coaching program. For this work, she led the team which received the ASPIRE international award for excellence in student assessment. She is an active researcher in medical education and a research mentor for fellows, residents, students, and faculty with a focus on competency-based medical education, learner assessment, equity in assessment, coaching, and remediation. She completed a PhD in Medical Education through a joint program with UCSF and the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. She received the 2024 Hubbard Award from the NBME for excellence in medical education assessment. She has served on leadership committees with the National Board of Medical Examiners and Macy Foundation, served as deputy editor for the journal Medical Education, and is past president of the Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine national organization.____________________________________________________________________________Link: https://www.stfm.org/stfmpodcastMSE25Closing