Welcome, PM&R Resident Rock Stars!

We’re thrilled that you are interested in serving alongside your peers and national leaders in physiatry. The Resident/Fellow Council (RFC) is seeking motivated in-training physiatrists to join our leadership team. Participating in the RFC will allow you to develop a national network and reputation by representing your peers in committees and events, working alongside leaders and rising stars on issues affecting the field, and advocating and developing resources for PM&R trainees.

Members of the RFC serve on national AAP committees, plan educational and networking sessions for the AAP’s Annual Meeting, create year-round connection and resources, and much more. Start your path to leadership with the RFC!

Applications for 2025-2026 Are Now Open!

Things to Know Before Applying

• Each position is a one-year term
• You must be a resident or fellow by the start of the term in February 2025
• All applicants must be active AAP members to be considered
• Elections will take place online with the leadership transition occurring in-person at the AAP’s Annual Meeting
• The deadline for submission is Friday, January 17, 2025

Application Materials

• Headshot
• Two-minute Introduction Video
• Resume/CV
• Personal Statement (300-word maximum)
• Letter of Support – a letter of support from a mentor or faculty member is required for all council positions.
• Letter of Recommendation (Vice Chair Applicants Only) – a letter of recommendation from the Vice Chair applicants Residency Program Director is required.

Position Descriptions

Chair
*Not accepting applications for RFC Chair position.

• Presides at all Resident/ Fellow Council meetings
• Organizes RFC annual action plan and actively pursues goals
• Serves as liaison to the AAP Office
• Recommends resident representatives to AAP Committees and Task Forces
• Ex-officio member of the AAP Board of Trustees
• Member of the AAP’s Governance Committee

Vice Chair

• Only PGY-2 residents are eligible to apply
• Serves as RFC Chair the following year
• Assists Chair with organizing RFC annual action plan
• Ex-officio non-voting member of the AAP Board of Trustees
• Member of the AAP’s Public Policy Committee
• Oversees resident / fellow submissions (original articles) to Physiatry Forward, the AAP’s member magazine. One article is required per quarterly issue.
• This position requires a letter of recommendation from your Residency Program Director

Secretary

• Schedules RFC meetings and takes minutes
• Leads planning of RFC program for the AAP’s Annual Meeting
• Member of the AAP’s Program Subcommittee

Advancement Representative

• Works to increase resident/fellow membership and retention
• Serves as the Welcome Buddy for new resident and fellow members
• Suggests AAP member benefits that support the development of in-training physiatrists
• Helps promote AAP programs for the development of young physiatrists
• Helps determine the AAP’s annual Essay Contest topics
• Member of the AAP’s Membership Subcommittee

Diversity Representative

• Develops diversity, equity and inclusion education and resources for residents and fellows
• Creates opportunities for diverse rising stars to advance their careers
• Suggests AAP member benefits that support diversity, equity and inclusion
• Member of the AAP’s Diversity & Community Engagement Committee

Education/Well-Being Representative

• Assists with development of educational projects and resources for residents and fellows
• Works to create and promote well-being initiatives for residents and fellows
• Oversees creation of wellness podcasts, the Physician Wellness webpage, and the Words of Wellness column in Physiatry Forward
• Oversees the RFC’s Well-Being Subcommittee
• Member of the AAP’s Education Committee

Fellow Representative

• Only PGY-4 residents entering fellowship in Summer 2025 are eligible to apply
• Leads RFC projects focused on improving fellowship education and research
• Responsible for planning fellowship sessions at the AAP’s Annual Meeting
• Member of the AAP’s Leadership Development & Recognition Committee

Medical Student Affairs Representative

• Helps plan of the Medical Student Workshop at the AAP Annual Meeting
• Builds awareness of PM&R among medical students, particularly in schools without PM&R departments
• Mentors the AAP’s Medical Student Council
• Member of the AAP’s Medical Student Educators Council

Research Representative

• Promotes and coordinates research opportunities for residents and fellows
• Organizes resources and educational toolkits for grant and scientific writing
• Participates in abstract and paper review for the AAP Annual Meeting
• Oversees the RFC’s Research & QI Subcommittee
• Member of the AAP’s Research Committee

Social Media & Digital Outreach Representative

• Works with AAP staff to manage the RFC social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) and gives a resident voice to the AAP’s Instagram account. We have also started TikTok and Threads pages that we would like to grow.
• Promotes RFC and AAP in-training member activities
• Develops strategies to expand RFC social media presence and engagement with in-training physiatrists
• Oversees the RFC’s Social Media Subcommittee
• Member of the AAP’s Global Academic Physiatry Subcommittee
• Time commitment of at least 4 hours per week

Technology Representative

• Liaison to AAP Office for website recommendations
• Assists with disseminating emerging uses of new technology in health care
• Oversees the RFC’s Digital Outreach Subcommittee and the steady flow of podcasts for publication