Minneapolis, May 22, 2024 – The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) has selected Courtney Horton as the recipient of the 2024 Medical Student Leadership Award. This award is presented annually to a medical student who demonstrates leadership in family medicine.
Horton, who is being recognized for her passion, focus and dedication to family medicine and addressing health disparities, particularly among Indigenous populations, is a member of the University of Minnesota Medical School graduating class of 2024.
She began her medical training on the Duluth campus because of its mission to train family physicians with an emphasis on rural medicine and Native American health. As a medical student, she participated in the Rural Medical Scholars Program, Summer Internship in Medicine and Rural Physician Associate Program and was active in interest groups for family medicine, obstetrics, women in medicine and medical students for choice.
Horton also served her school and community in numerous ways, including as a member of the Admissions Committee for the Duluth campus, Admissions Student Advisory Committee (serving both the Duluth and Twin Cities campuses) and the Center of American Indian and Minority Health Native Curriculum Advisory Board; a community liaison for HOPE Clinic, a student-run, free clinic in Duluth; and the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Officer for the Medical School Student Council. She is also a member of the executive board for the Association of Native American Medical Students and served as President of her local chapter on the Duluth Campus.
One nominator highlighted Horton’s collaboration with Ojibwe elders on a culturally-centered group prenatal care curriculum for tribal communities, incorporating traditional healing practices, and how it demonstrated Horton’s deep understanding of the intersection between health care and culture. They wrote: “In all my years of community organizing, Courtney stands out as one of the most remarkable individuals I have encountered. From the outset, Courtney demonstrated an unparalleled passion for women’s health that was both inspiring and uplifting… and an unwavering dedication to addressing health care disparities. Courtney recognizes the urgent need for increased Native representation within the fields of obstetrics and gynecology and [family medicine].”
The MAFP congratulates Courtney Horton, MD, on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to her continued contributions to the field of family medicine.
About the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians: The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) is the largest medical specialty organization in Minnesota, representing more than 3,100 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students. The MAFP promotes the specialty of family medicine in Minnesota and supports family physicians as they provide high quality, comprehensive and continuous medical care for patients of all ages.
About the MAFP Academy Awards: The MAFP recognizes its members for their hard work and dedication to family medicine via its own Academy Awards. Minnesota family physicians, resident physicians, medical students and researchers are nominated for a variety of awards (by educators, learners and colleagues). For the Medical Student Leadership Award, the MAFP Board of Directors selects recipients after reviewing nomination letters and credentials. More background on the awards can be found at mafp.org/awards.
Media contact: Kendra Myers, 952-224-3876, kendra@mafp.org