STFM Podcast: November 2025

Cheers to 50 years! Celebrating the Impact and Legacy of the STFM Foundation

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the STFM Foundation, three Foundation Past Presidents, Judy C. Washington, MD, Scott A. Fields, MD, MHA, and Julie Schirmer, LCSW, reflect on the Foundation’s lasting impact on innovation, diversity, and future leadership in academic family medicine. From scholarships that ignite a passion for teaching to seed grants that spark groundbreaking ideas, the programs and initiatives of the Foundation foster a strong, supportive community rooted in STFM’s values. And after five exciting decades, the STFM Foundation continues to build its legacy by shaping the next generation of family medicine educators.

Hosted by Omari A. Hodge, MD, and Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MD

Resources

Judy C. Washington, MD

Judy C. Washington, MD, is a respected leader in family medicine and women’s health, currently serving as associate chief medical officer at Atlantic Medical Group and clinical associate professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. She earned her BS from the University of Montevallo and her MD from Meharry Medical College, completing her residency at Mountainside Family Practice. With a career spanning private practice, academia, and leadership, Dr Washington is a passionate advocate for health equity. Her research addresses workforce diversity, the “minority tax,” and institutional support for underrepresented faculty in medicine; these topics are of ongoing concern. She has established mentorship programs to support URiM professionals and enhance inclusive leadership.

At Atlantic Medical Group, she plays a pivotal role in initiatives such as the Women’s Health Work Group and the SDOH Steering Committees, concentrating on mitigating disparities and enhancing care outcomes. Her research also investigates equitable recruitment practices in medical education and the effects of systemic inequities on physicians of color. Dr Washington’s contributions are supported by grant-funded research, service on various boards, and numerous accolades, including the Union County Humanitarian Award. Her professional career exemplifies a profound dedication to promoting equity, mentoring emerging leaders, and cultivating inclusive healthcare environments.

Scott A. Fields, MD, MHA

Scott Fields, MD, MHA, is former vice chair in the Department of Family Medicine at OHSU. Dr Fields currently serves as professor emeritus of Family Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where he has been faculty since 1986. Prior to retiring, Dr Fields served the same community of patients across multiple generations for over 30 years as a full-scope family physician, including inpatient and maternity care with C-section privileges. Dr Fields oversaw the clinical enterprise of the Department and was an active force in medical student education.

Dr Fields has served in multiple roles in STFM, including STFM president and President of the STFM Foundation. He facilitated a detailed update of the core clerkship curriculum and helped guide the expansion of many of the programs still in place at STFM and the Foundation.

Dr Fields also served as the chief medical officer at OCHIN until 2024; a non-for-profit serving underserved communities with technical support including EHRs,. As a clinical leader at an academic health center, he brought his expertise into integrating research into clinical care. He has worked nationally with diverse clinics and communities, helping to teach clinicians and staff about the connections between training, workflow, data management, data quality, and improvements in care delivery and patient health.

Julie Schirmer, LCSW, ACSW

Julie Schirmer, LCSW, ACSW, is currently a behavioral medicine and curriculum consultant with the Preventive Medicine Enhancement Program for Maine (PrevME) and Immediate past president of the board of directors of the National Association for Social Workers, Maine Chapter. She retired from her position as a behavioral science faculty member and assistant director of the Family Medicine Clerkship for several medical schools affiliated with Maine Medical Center in Portland, ME. She has received numerous teaching and leadership awards at the community, regional, national, and international levels. She has authored over forty publications and has recently applied her writing skills to opinion pieces and research, influencing behavioral health policy in Maine.

Dr Schirmer served as a board member and secretary of the STFM Foundation from 2016–2022, giving back to the Foundation for its support of behavioral health faculty. She is passionate about everyday resistance to the powers, policies, and philosophies that are currently threatening our health and behavioral health systems.