Member Login
Become a Member
Member Login
Become a Member

Student Essay Contest

Submissions Due August 31, 2025

The Missouri Academy of Family Physicians and Family Health Foundation of Missouri are sponsoring a  Family Medicine Student Essay Contest for MAFP student members with an interest in family medicine.  The theme of this year’s essay is Beyond the Clinic: Understanding the Barriers Patients Face and the Call to Advocate.  Submissions will be identified and judged by a selected panel of expert judges. 

First, second, and third place prizes of $300, $200, and $100, respectively, will be awarded. The top 3 essays will be published in the Missouri Family Physician quarterly magazine. Additionally, winners will be invited guests of the MAFP Annual Fall Conference, November 7-8, 2025, at InterContinental on the Plaza in Kansas City, with lodging and conference registration sponsored by the Family Health Foundation of Missouri. Additionally, winners will be invited to present their paper at the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians Annual Fall Conference. 

Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria by a panel of MAFP Active Members:

  • Clear description of a personal observation of how at least one social determinant of health has impacted an individual or a community.
  • Inclusion of at least one clearly articulated proposed solution to achieve improved outcomes.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the 4 Cs of primary care – first contact, comprehensiveness, coordination, and continuity
  • Composition and grammar

    Submission Process

    All information must be submitted before August 31, 2025, by emailing marketing@mo-afp.org and must include:

    • Open to MAFP student members currently enrolled in medical school
    • Essay limited to minimum of 500 to maximum 1,000 words of content, submitted in Word format
    • Submissions after the deadline will not be considered
    • Graphics, including photographs and charts, are welcome. Please do not include identifying information or faces if photographs of individuals are included.
    • Winners will be asked for further information including:
      • Headshot for publication
      • Tax ID number