ACOFP Blog
For Family, By Family—ACOFP Blog
Students interview Stephen M. Kuehn, DO, to learn more about his residency program, why he chose family medicine and what advice he has for students in this Resident Council Spotlight installment.
The Student Association of the ACOFP continues to partner with the Resident Council on personal interviews. We are excited about the insights and perspectives our residents provide students in planning for residency and engaging in volunteer opportunities within ACOFP.
This month, students interviewed Stephen M. Kuehn, DO, to learn more about his residency program, why he chose family medicine and what advice he has for students.
Schenectady is close to home for me, and we wanted to be near family with our children. Ellis Medicine Family Medicine Residency also has a great OMT program, and I wanted a residency where I could continue to do this regularly.
I usually wake up at 5:30 am to work out. Then, I’m in the clinic at 8 am, usually until 5 pm. I get home by 6 pm, have some time with my family and finish my notes from 9–11 pm.
If I’m doing inpatient medicine as a third year, I’m in the hospital at 7 am. Rounds start by 10 am, with follow up and discharge until 5 pm. I sign out at 7 pm and am home by 8 pm. We have medical students for inpatient service and for clinic, so we do a lot of teaching with them and the junior residents.
I love treating the whole patient, not just their specific diagnosis. Family medicine allows you to help your patient stay healthy from the day they are born and work with them for their lifetime. No other specialty can make such an impact.
I wanted to have a voice in the decision-making process, see how ACOFP works to engage DOs and advocate for our profession.
ACOFP represents a family of physicians who are dedicated to both the welfare of their patients and the advancement of osteopathic principles. I believe that our profession succeeds—and patients are better cared for—when we seek health, not disease, and help others care for themselves. ACOFP promotes these values.
Practice. Practice your exam skills, communication skills, OMT skills, listening skills—all of it. Read and learn, but practice. A lot of knowledge is less important than knowing how to use the knowledge you have. So, practice.
ACOFP is a community of current and future family physicians that champions osteopathic principles and supports its members by providing resources such as education, networking and advocacy, while putting patients first.