The Power of Community in Family Medicine
For incoming STFM President Steven Lin, MD, STFM is more than an organization—it’s a home. “Going to an STFM conference with colleagues and friends from all over the world is like going back home for Thanksgiving!” he says. “That cozy feeling of purpose and belonging is what makes STFM and its community of members so indispensable, especially during times of challenge.” Coming from an institution that lacked a strong primary care culture, he found a sense of belonging in STFM’s network of educators and clinicians. This deep connection is why he is so committed to strengthening and expanding STFM’s role in supporting family medicine educators. “Our vision is to be the indispensable academic home for every family medicine educator” he added.
A Passion for Social Justice and Medicine
Before pursuing medicine, Dr Lin was enamored with music and musical theater. “My childhood dream was to become a symphony conductor or a Broadway musical director. By the time I graduated high school, I had learned how to play multiple instruments and earned a piano performance degree from the London College of Music.” As it turned out, fate had other plans. “It was during college that I became interested in health disparities and social determinants of health,” he says. “I dedicated much of my free time to volunteering at halfway homes in underserved communities to better understand the needs and struggles of vulnerable populations. In medical school, I committed my energies to the study and advocacy of immigrant health and addressing structural determinants,” he continued. “So naturally, I was led to pursue primary care and family medicine.”
Leadership and Lessons for the Future
“When I was younger, I never aspired to be a leader… My greatest fear was not knowing what to say or do.” However, leadership eventually found Dr Lin. “If I could travel back in time to my past self, I would impart this sage advice from Maya Angelou, renowned poet and civil rights activist: ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’” This perspective continues to shape his leadership philosophy, reminding him that empathy and impact matter more than perfection. “I have the same itch that drives many of my colleagues in family medicine: that deeply human urge to do something meaningful, something lasting, something that touches the lives of others, in the relatively short time we have on the planet. That, and a lot of coffee,” he said.
Finding Balance Beyond Work
When not advocating for family medicine education, Dr Lin enjoys binge-watching K-dramas and baking competitions on Netflix. He is also an avid fan of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Final Fantasy, and Harry Potter. “Oh, in case you’re wondering, I’m supposed to be a Gryffindor,” he quipped. And music still holds a special place in his life—especially when playing piano with his 7-year-old daughter. He stressed, “She is way more musically talented than I ever was!” In fact, Dr Lin takes great pride in his titles of dad and husband. “I can’t think of anything else in life that is more crushingly difficult yet so endlessly fulfilling.”
A Message for Future Family Medicine Leaders
For medical students and residents embarking on their careers, Dr Lin offers a piece of advice: “Whatever it was that drew you to family medicine—whether it was a story, a cause, a loved one, a patient, a mentor—find a way to capture that memory. Write a letter to your future self, create a time capsule, or share your journey with those who can help remind you why you chose this noble path.”
The Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
As he prepares to step into his role as STFM President, Dr Lin is aware of the hurdles facing family medicine today. “There has never been a more challenging time to be a family medicine clinician, scholar, or educator. Global socio-political-economic unrest, the greed-driven corporatization of healthcare, the disruptive pace of artificial intelligence advancement, and a deepening crisis of human and planetary health all add to a practice and teaching environment that is increasingly complex. Now, more than ever, we need Family Medicine to be the countervailing force for a healthier world,” he emphasized.
When asked for his advice for young medical students and residents, he encourages future family medicine practitioners and educators to remember what drew them to the field in the first place. “Write a letter to your future self. Put photos in a time capsule. Share your personal journey with family and friends so they can help you remember why you walk this noble path,” he recommends. “The crippling forces of the modern medical-industrial complex can weigh you down sometimes. Whatever it was that drew you to family medicine—a story, a cause, a loved one, a patient, a mentor—find a way to capture that memory so that you can always go back to it when times get tough.”
Looking Forward
With a deep commitment to the future of family medicine, Dr Lin is ready to lead STFM into a new chapter. His vision is clear: to foster community, advocate for primary care, and support practitioners and educators in their vital work. “STFM members are on the frontlines, being the change that we so desperately need,” he says. “I’m proud to stand alongside each and every one of our members in this fight, and I look forward to finding new ways to support and empower our amazing community of family medicine heroes.”
Prior to being sworn in as president of the STFM Board of Directors, Dr Lin served as member-at-large on the STFM Board of Directors, the chair of the Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education Task Force, and the chair of the Telemedicine Curriculum Task Force.
As the 2023-2024 term comes to a close, we sat down with incoming STFM president Joseph Gravel, MD, to learn about his journey to family medicine education, his plans for the presidency, what he’d tell his younger self, and his message to students and residents. 
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