The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation’s Center for the History of Family Medicine is accepting applicants for their 2021 essay contest. Essays must center on the history of family medicine but can include creative elements. Winners of the national contest can win up to $1,000 for their essay, and the Department of Family and Community Medicine is offering additional prizes for UAB applicants to encourage participation. 

Students who enter the CHM essay contest and provide a video describing their storytelling process to the department by November 1 will be entered to win up to $1,500 in prizes sponsored by the Department of Family and Community Medicine. This opportunity is open to all UAB-affiliated medical students and residents. Requirements for the CHM national essay contest can be found here.

Brandi Shah, M.D., MPH, assistant professor and director of the Office of Identity, Inclusion and Collective Conscious, is willing to review and mentor interested students in as they craft their essays. Shah is a lifelong writer and creative who teaches students about the power of storytelling in medicine through elective courses and mentorship. Contact her with questions.

Interested students can submit their essay, video and a copy of the submission confirmation email to Adrienne Fowler Payne via email. Please include "essay contest - NAME" in the email subject line.