Ebony White-Manigault, MD, MPH, is a resident at University of Michigan FMR in Ann Arbor, MI. She is a 2025 recipient of a STFM Foundation Faculty for Tomorrow Resident Scholarship.

Dr White-Manigault's Family Medicine Story

Why are you interested in teaching family medicine?

Dr White-Manigault: I am drawn to teaching family medicine because of the profound influence my mentors and teachers have had on my career. Their dedication to nurturing my growth as a clinician has inspired me to give back to the next generation of family physicians in the same way. I understand the critical role that committed educators play in shaping competent, compassionate physicians, and I want to be that kind of mentor for future practitioners.

Family medicine, with its broad scope and continuity of care, offers a unique platform for building long-term patient relationships and addressing a wide variety of health conditions. My experiences during residency at the University of Michigan has shown me how family physicians serve as the backbone of health care, providing comprehensive care that spans prevention, chronic disease management, and acute care. These experiences reinforced my passion for teaching, as I want to ensure that future physicians are well-prepared to deliver this type of holistic, patient-centered care. 

I have been fortunate to receive strong mentorship throughout my training, which has shaped my approach to patient care and influenced my commitment to teaching. As a student and resident, my mentors were instrumental in helping me understand the complexities of family medicine and the importance of treating the whole patient. I want to pay forward the support I received by mentoring students and residents, guiding them as they develop both the clinical expertise and the empathy necessary for family medicine. 

My academic background, including an MD from Wayne State University and an MPH from the University of Michigan, has provided me with a strong foundation in both clinical care and public health. My research on social determinants of health, such as food access and chronic disease management, has deepened my understanding of how external factors impact patient outcomes. As a teacher, I want to help future family physicians recognize and address these broader influences, empowering them to deliver care that is equitable and responsive to their patients’ needs. 

In addition to my clinical work, my leadership roles on the Graduate Medical Education and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees at Michigan Medicine have given me a platform to improve medical education. I have had the opportunity to work on initiatives that enhance residency programs, ensuring that trainees receive a well-rounded education in a supportive and inclusive environment. This work has strengthened my belief in the importance of mentorship and the need for educational environments that foster both professional and personal growth. 

Ultimately, I believe that family medicine educators play a crucial role in shaping the future of health care by mentoring physicians who will lead in patient-centered care and health equity. Teaching family medicine allows me to combine my clinical experience, public health knowledge, and passion for mentorship to inspire future physicians. I look forward to contributing to their development as they become compassionate, skilled, and socially conscious leaders in health care.

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

Dr White-Manigault: I believe I can make a meaningful difference in the future of family medicine by focusing on three key areas: promoting health equity, advancing interdisciplinary care, and cultivating a strong educational foundation for the next generation of physicians. 

First, promoting health equity is at the core of my approach to family medicine. My public health background and research on social determinants of health, such as food access and chronic disease management in underserved populations, have shown me how deeply social and environmental factors affect health outcomes. As a family physician and educator, I aim to address these disparities by equipping future family medicine physicians with the knowledge and skills to recognize and combat health inequities. By advocating for policies that improve access to health care and integrating social determinants of health into everyday patient care, I believe family medicine can be a driving force in reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for all patients. 

Second, advancing interdisciplinary care is crucial for the future of family medicine. The increasingly complex nature of patient care requires collaboration across medical disciplines. Family physicians are uniquely positioned to coordinate care among various specialties, ensuring that patients receive holistic, comprehensive treatment. Drawing on my experiences during residency and in leadership roles at Michigan Medicine, I have seen the benefits of interdisciplinary teamwork in managing complex cases and providing patient-centered care. By fostering a culture of collaboration and teaching future physicians to work seamlessly with specialists, social workers, and public health professionals, I can help ensure that family medicine continues to play a central role in the health care system. 

Third, I am committed to cultivating a strong educational foundation for future family physicians. As someone who has been involved in medical education at various levels—from serving on the Graduate Medical Education Committee at Michigan Medicine to mentoring medical students—I recognize the importance of fostering critical thinking, empathy, and resilience in trainees. Family medicine, with its focus on whole-person care and continuity, offers a unique platform for developing these qualities in young physicians. I aim to make a difference by creating educational experiences that emphasize the importance of listening to patients, understanding their unique contexts, and providing compassionate care. 

My approach also emphasizes the integration of technology and innovative care models into family medicine. With the growing importance of telemedicine and digital health tools, family physicians must be equipped to leverage these technologies to enhance care delivery. I am excited to be part of this transformation and to ensure that the future workforce is well-prepared to navigate and lead these advancements. 

In conclusion, I believe my commitment to promoting health equity, advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, and fostering education will position me to make a lasting impact in family medicine. By training future family physicians who are compassionate, collaborative, and equipped to address both the clinical and social aspects of care, I aim to contribute to a future where family medicine continues to lead in improving the health of individuals and communities.

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.