About Us

History

The current Department of Family Medicine evolved from a department that has existed at the medical center for over 100 years. During the mid-1900s, it was known as the Department of Community Medicine and International Health. However, in 1977 after the creation of the division of family medicine and the start of a family practice residency program, the department became the Department of Community and Family Medicine. In 1993, the department underwent a reorganization to emphasize clinical family practice and was renamed the Department of Family Medicine.

Our Vision

Community Health, One Family at a Time

Our Mission

Teach Family Medicine as a model of excellence in primary care and community health to medical students, residents, fellows, and other health care professionals.
Provide personalized evidence-based patient-centered care in a medical home model, with special emphasis on care to the underserved.
Conduct community oriented, patient-based, and interdisciplinary research.
Foster national leaders and educators in Family Medicine
Create and sustain campus/community partnerships that recognize our mutual assets and improve the health of our community

Department of Family Medicine’s Teaching Goals

Participate in the core teaching mission of the School of Medicine through innovative clinical and classroom instruction, course directorship, and leadership

Teach undergraduate and medical students in the principles of Family Medicine including: caring for the whole patient across the life span; evaluating medical literature; and practicing Evidence-Based Medicine within the context of life-long learning

Provide students with the opportunity to consider a career in Family Medicine through clinical experiences and mentorship

Prepare residents to provide full spectrum Family Medicine to underserved patients in a medical home

Develop future faculty through departmental fellowship programs

Recruit, develop, and retain excellent clinical faculty

Department of Family Medicine’s Clinical Practice Goals

Continue and expand programs that provide clinical care to medically underserved patient populations in the District of Columbia in partnership with the local community
Establish a clinical practice to provide ready access to Family Physicians by the members of the Georgetown community
Conduct community oriented, patient-based, and interdisciplinary research.

Department of Family Medicine’s Research Goals

Lombardi Cancer Research

Work with the community to conduct evidence-based patient oriented clinical research.

Collaborate with multiple universities and disciplines to conduct integrated, properly designed studies that allow important clinical questions to be answered.

MedSchool Dahlgren Library Interior

students conducting Research

Develop research projects with students that will help enhance clinical care.

Campus and Community Partnerships Goals

Identify and develop community partnerships that will benefit the education of our students and residents
Foster collaborative projects and programs to improve the care of underserved communities
To support the growth and development of effective community leaders, both locally and nationally

Department of Family Medicine’s Leadership Goals

Encourage students, residents, and faculty to pursue leadership roles within Family Medicine at the local and national level

Participate in health policy at a local and national level in order to improve the care of our patients and their communities