Rebecca King (’15,’17)

The accomplishment I am most proud of is designing, building, and scaling the Advocacy Ambassadors program at the American Academy of Family Physicians into a nationwide network of more than 1,000 engaged physicians in just over a year. What began as an effort to better connect physicians to the policymaking process has grown into a movement that empowers clinicians to use their voices in service of their patients. Through this work, I have helped equip frontline physicians with the tools and confidence to engage directly with lawmakers, ensuring that real patient experiences are reflected in policy decisions.

I am also proud to lead the planning and execution of the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit, a national conference that brings together hundreds of physicians each year in Washington, DC. In this role, I curate and recruit top-tier speakers who equip attendees with the knowledge and skills needed to be effective advocates. Physicians participate in two days of policy training followed by a full day of meetings with their members of Congress on Capitol Hill. By coordinating more than 200 Congressional meetings annually, this effort translates education into action and ensures that family medicine has a strong, unified presence in the conversations shaping the future of healthcare.

Finally, being selected as the 2023 Spring Commencement Speaker for Georgia Southern University remains one of the most meaningful honors of my career. Standing on that stage as both an alumna and a professional was a full-circle moment and an opportunity to encourage graduates to pursue work that is not only successful but purposeful.