Michael North Jr., MD, is a resident at Medical University of South Carolina FMR Program in Charleston, SC. He is a 2025 recipient of a STFM Foundation Faculty for Tomorrow Resident Scholarship.

Dr North's Family Medicine Story

Why are you interested in teaching family medicine?

Dr North: From a young age, growing up in a household with a teacher as my mother, I was naturally drawn to the field of education. Witnessing her dedication to expanding others' worlds through teaching deeply impressed me. This early exposure to the transformative power of education ignited my passion for teaching, which has been a guiding force throughout my academic and professional journey. While I explored teaching throughout high school and college through various roles as a tutor and a teaching assistant, it was during medical school that my path toward a career in teaching crystallized.

Immersed in a dynamic educational environment, I thrived while mentoring fellow medical students through bedside teaching at a free clinic, leading in the academic setting as president of Alpha Omega Alpha, and navigating the complexities of the learning environment as chair of the honor board. Despite my initial struggle to choose a specialty due to my keen interest in each clinical rotation, the broad scope of medical generalism ultimately captured my enthusiasm. Engaging in discussions with peers, residents, and attendings about evidence-based practices in the comprehensive care of newborns to the elderly solidified my decision. The prospect of guiding and teaching patients as a primary care physician, with a focus on counseling and shared decision-making, became particularly compelling in that not only could I teach other medical professionals but my teaching could be an implement to improve the health of my patients.

My residency at a large academic center has further accelerated my development as a clinician educator through roles as education chair and now chief resident in our residency program as well as through my membership on our hospital’s Education Committee in which we are developing a "Clinician as Educators" course for trainees across all specialties who are interested in a career in academic medicine.

These experiences have profoundly influenced my growth as a physician and educator. Consequently, I am excited to join the faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina as an assistant professor of Family Medicine and a core residency faculty member starting in July 2025. 

As a future faculty member, I’m eager to continue to engage in a lifetime of learning. I’m excited to not only get the opportunity to teach residents and medical students but also to learn from them. I find the intellectual stimulation of the academic environment deeply satisfying and am enthusiastic about helping learners discover their passions in medicine. 

In summary, my early experiences, combined with my medical training and residency roles, have solidified my desire to teach family medicine. I am committed to fostering the next generation of physicians by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to excel. Teaching is not just a profession for me; it is a calling that aligns with my passion for education and my dedication to improving patient care.

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

Dr North: Family medicine, despite its essential role in primary care, often lacks the dramatic allure of the operating room, the financial incentives of subspecialties, or the high profile within certain hospital systems. Yet, I am convinced that family medicine is the most fulfilling specialty in medicine, offering unparalleled opportunities for impactful, holistic patient care. As a clinician educator, I am dedicated to making a significant difference in the future of this field through two primary avenues: education and mentorship. 

Firstly, my approach to teaching at the undergraduate medical education level is designed to instill a solid foundation in medical students that transcends specialty boundaries. By focusing on key skills such as compassionate history-taking and proficient physical examination techniques, I aim to nurture well-rounded physicians who are both adept and empathetic. I believe that a strong grounding in these fundamental skills will not only prepare students to excel in any specialty they choose but also cultivate a sense of humanism that is essential for providing comprehensive patient care. My objective is to produce future doctors who are not only skilled practitioners but also compassionate caregivers, equipped to face the diverse challenges of the medical profession. 

Secondly, my aspiration to become a board-certified family physician is deeply influenced by the family doctors who served as my role models during medical school. Their dedication and excellence demonstrated the profound impact that family physicians can have on both individual patients and the broader community. Inspired by their example, I am committed to drawing more students into the specialty of family medicine and contributing to its growth. This commitment extends to my role in residency education, where I plan to engage actively with residents, foster thoughtful discussions on current literature and guidelines, and exemplify a deep enthusiasm for family medicine. By creating a supportive and stimulating learning environment, I aim to inspire residents to develop a strong commitment to the specialty and pursue it with genuine passion. Moreover, my goal is to address the challenges facing family medicine by promoting its value and relevance within the broader health care landscape. Through my work as an educator and mentor, I hope to highlight the critical role of family physicians in delivering patient-centered care, managing chronic conditions, and fostering preventive health measures. By advocating for the importance of family medicine and supporting the next generation of family physicians, I am dedicated to enhancing the specialty’s visibility and influence in the medical field. 

In summary, through my role as a clinician educator, I seek to lay a robust foundation in general medicine for students, attract more learners to the field of family medicine, and support those already on this path in becoming exceptional physicians. By nurturing and guiding future doctors, I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to the advancement and enrichment of family medicine, ultimately improving patient care and shaping the future of the specialty.

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.