Family & Community Medicine
Associate Professor, Family & Community Medicine
Vice-chair for Academics in Family Medicine
dan.sepdham@utsouthwestern.edu
Please contact Sonia Torres-Kilo to schedule an appointment. sonia.torres-kilo@utsouthwestern.edu
Secondary Contacts
Tamara McGregor, M.D.
tamara.mcgregor@utsouthwestern.edu
Jared Morphew, M.D.
jared.morphew@utsouthwestern.edu
About the Specialty
In the United States, there are over 160 specialties and subspecialties of medicine, but there is only one specialty that is trained to deliver comprehensive care over your entire lifetime. Family physicians treat patients of all ages, all sexes and genders, and treat conditions of every organ system. They care for patients regardless of age or health condition and are experts in creating enduring, trusting relationships with their patients. Family physicians practice in communities of all sizes, and are trained to take care of communities, consider community level impacts, and address social determinants of health. Family physicians are often a patient's first point of contact with the medical system and are essential in helping patients navigate the healthcare system. They coordinate specialty care, imaging studies, and other healthcare services. There are over 19 different fellowship options available to Family Physicians allowing for some specialization if desired.
Answers to Common Questions
- Attributes of a Competitive Student
What factors typically make a student competitive for this specialty?
Students applying to Family Medicine should focus on doing well in all of their required classes and core rotations vs other extracurricular activities (research, volunteer efforts, etc...). Even if applying to Family Medicine as a parallel plan, competitive students apply as much time, energy, and effort to their Family Medicine application as to their other specialty. Program directors can sense when you are not committed.
- Research
How important is research experience in your specialty? If important, does it need to be in the specialty itself?
Not important at all
- Shadowing
How can students identify opportunities for shadowing?
Students should notify me or email carolyn.lindeman@utouthwestern.edu of their interest in shadowing. Arrangements will be made after discussing the students interests and preferences.
Are there additional suggestions for how students can learn more about your specialty?
Students can find out more about Family Medicine as a discpline at the AAFP.
- Electives
What electives would you recommend to a student who is interested in pursuing your specialty?
There are no specifically recommended electives, however, participation in the Community Health Fellowship Program would give participants a solid foundation in community medicine as well as a nice introduction to our department.
Based on your experience, what tips do you have for students to shine on your electives?
Show up and be engaged.
- Away Rotations
Does your specialty recommend doing away rotations?
Away rotations are not required, but they are nice way to explore residency programs at locations outside the DFW metroplex as well as indicate significant interest in programs you might not otherwise get to interact with.
If away rotations are necessary, when should they apply and when should they be completed?
Not applicable
- Interview Timing
Which month do you recommend taking off to interview?
No recommendations
- Letters of Recommendation
How many letters of recommendation are needed to apply to your specialty?
A minimum of three letters is required.
Does your specialty recommend that all letters of recommendation be written by members of your specialty?
No. At a minimum, one letter should be from a family physician who has interacted with you in a clinical setting. Two letters of recommendation from family physicians would be even better but is not required.
If letters can come from other disciplines, do you have a recommendation as to which disciplines are more highly valued?
No. If letters come from other disciplines, the letters should focus on the candidates clinical skills rather than their fit for any specific specialty.
Does the academic rank of the letter writer matter?
No
Does your specialty require a letter from the chairman?
No. We prefer letters from physicians that have first hand knowledge of the applicant interacting with patients.
