Opeoluwa Olukorede, MD, MS, is a resident at Worcester Family Medicine Residency at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA. She is a 2025 recipient of a STFM Foundation Faculty for Tomorrow Resident Scholarship.

Dr Olukorede's Family Medicine Story

Why are you interested in teaching family medicine?

Dr Olukorede: My interest in teaching family medicine is deeply rooted in a transformative experience I had during my third year of medical school with my family medicine clerkship director. Under her guidance, I learned not just about the complexities of medical conditions, but about seeing patients as whole individuals. Her holistic approach to care emphasized understanding each patient's unique story, which resonated with me profoundly. She had long term relationship with her patients and truly embodied the cradle-to-grave care. Her perspective on compassion, empathy, and establishing trust with every patient and family ignited my passion for family medicine as well as my desire to inspire others. 

From the moment I began working with her, I witnessed the impact of her teaching style on both patients and students. She fostered an environment where there were no inappropriate questions and innovative thinking was encouraged. She replicated this approach with her students, eagerly engaging with each assessment and plan to foster our learning. We always left her office feeling empowered and more knowledgeable about medicine. Observing her practice, I realized I wanted to embody these qualities as a future physician. 

Since that pivotal experience, I have actively pursued opportunities to share my enthusiasm for family medicine. I have volunteered in panels with my medical school to discuss “Life as a Family Medicine Resident” and share insights about with my journey. I have signed up for opportunities to shadow my preceptors in an elective called “Preparing for Practice” where I get to practice precepting co-residents in clinic. These experiences have allowed me to witness firsthand the joy of nurturing a budding interest in family medicine and the rewarding role of a teacher. 

I am also currently involved in a mentoring program at my medical school, where I am paired with a first-year student. This student is able to shadow my clinic sessions, participate in patient rounds, and accompany me on visits to the local refugee clinic. Watching my mentee fall in love with the discipline has been incredibly fulfilling, even though she is just beginning her training. 

Overall, being a family medicine teacher always means learning something new every day and having the opportunity to share with others. Each day could bring new insights into how to engage with community partners, how to advocate for patients or even understanding trends like how Generation Z engages with platforms like TikTok regarding their health. As I envision my future as a family medicine champion, I am excited about the prospect of teaching the next generation. I want to create a learning environment where students feel encouraged to explore, question, and connect with patients on a personal level. I am eager to make a lasting impact on students and the community we serve. The wealth of medical knowledge is endless and I am committed to fostering a desire for lifelong learning among my future students.

How do you think you can make a difference in the future of family medicine? 

Dr Olukorede: The challenges patients face in accessing primary care are deeply concerning to me. Many individuals, including family members, have shared their frustrations about long wait times—often months—just to see a primary care physician for essential preventive health care. Others have expressed frustration about their doctors dismissing their concerns or failing to make eye contact while speaking with them. This reality saddens me and fuels my desire to make a difference as a family medicine physician. 

I want to inspire others to consider careers in family medicine. By sharing my experiences and highlighting the profound impact family physicians can have on their communities, I hope to encourage more medical students to pursue this rewarding specialty. I believe that a diverse and passionate workforce in family medicine is and will continue to be crucial for meeting the needs of our varied populations. 

Advocating for an increase in the number of family health care physicians, along with incentives that encourage retention in the field, is a priority for me. I participated in my state’s “Advocacy Day,” where I met with representatives at the State House to discuss bills presented by the Massachusetts Chapter of the Academy of Family Physicians. I have the privilege of working closely with the president of this organization, who is also one of my mentors. Many of the bills aim to improve patient access to care and help increase the number of physicians who not only join family medicine but also remain in the field. 

I am committed to advocating for comprehensive care that integrates behavioral health into primary care settings. I have already experienced significant success with this approach, facilitating warm hand-offs to psychologists or social workers in the clinic. This ensures that patients do not leave in the same crisis mode in which they arrived. Instead, they depart with valuable resources for food pantries, shelters, and strategies for managing acute anxiety, along with scheduled follow-ups. This holistic approach resonates deeply with me and is something I aspire to incorporate into my practice. 

Inclusivity is another important aspect in my approach to care. I want to ensure that all patients feel respected and understood, regardless of their cultural background. By actively promoting cultural competency within my practice and encouraging my colleagues to do the same, I hope to foster an environment where diversity is celebrated, and patients receive the comprehensive care they deserve. For example, I am currently involved in a project aimed at adding bandages of different skin tones to our clinic’s inventory, ensuring that patients of all backgrounds feel included and comfortable with their care. 

In summary, I am excited about making a meaningful difference in the future of family medicine. The challenges in our health care system are significant and cannot be resolved in one day or by one person. However, with a commitment to these principles as well as the inspiration of more champions, I believe we can work towards our goal, one step at a time.

Contribute to the Creation of the Next STFM Story

Transforming the future of family medicine would not be possible without the generosity of countless STFM members and supporters. Through both member and departmental donations, the STFM Foundation is able to support the pipeline for academic family medicine. 

Help transform the future of academic family medicine by donating to the STFM Foundation. If you have questions about the STFM Foundation, contact Mindy Householder at (800) 274-7928 or mhouseholder@stfm.org.