Students and faculty learn, celebrate and connect at 2025 AAMC conference
The UF Medicine community joined medical schools across North America at the annual AAMC conference
Nov. 13, 2025 — University of Florida College of Medicine faculty, staff, students, trainees and alumni made their way to San Antonio in early November for Learn Serve Lead, the annual meeting of the Association of American Medical Colleges, or AAMC.
Taking place from Nov. 1-5, the event was an opportunity for attendees of all experience levels to connect with each other, strengthen existing relationships while cultivating new ones, foster an engaging environment for leading minds and partake in shaping tomorrow’s health advancements.
UF College of Medicine participants showcased their research and achievements among peers and colleagues from institutions around the country. This year also marked the first time multiple Florida medical schools joined forces to host a reception at the meeting. The reception took place Nov. 1, the first day of the annual AAMC meeting, and was open to all conference attendees.
Medical school leaders from around the state having fun at the Florida Reception.
Photo courtesy of Brigit Dermott.
“We were delighted to partner with colleagues from medical schools across the state to host the inaugural Florida Reception at AAMC Learn Serve Lead,” said interim Dean Jennifer Hunt, M.D., M.Ed. “It was wonderful to see attendees connecting in such a vibrant setting, exchanging ideas and updates with fellow clinicians and leaders in medical education.”
Hannah Rogers presenting one of her two posters at the conference.
Photo courtesy of Hannah Rogers.
Hannah Rogers, the AAMC representative for UF’s medical school Class of 2027, who also serves as a national delegate for policy and advocacy with the AAMC, said the Florida Reception was one of the most memorable moments of the conference. As a Floridian who grew up in Gainesville, she values the idea of strengthening health care and collaboration within the state.
“Getting to connect with fellow students from across Florida, our own UF deans and leaders from other medical schools was truly invaluable,” she said.
At the conference, Rogers presented AAMC policy priorities to the Organization of Student Representatives and incorporated ideas from student-led discussions on best practices and innovation to her presentation. She also presented two posters: “The Role of the AAMC Organization of Student Representatives in U.S. Medical Schools: Selection, Responsibilities and National Impact” and “Priorities and Initiatives of the AAMC National Board of the Organization of Student Representatives 2024-2025.”
Phuong B. Huynh, Ph.D., M.Ed., the assistant dean for assessment, evaluation and scholarship at the College of Medicine, also attended the conference to learn about the latest trends and research in academic medicine. There, she presented a medical research poster focused on fairness and transparency in clerkship grading, highlighting UF’s efforts to create equitable assessment processes while promoting continuous improvement in clinical education.
“AAMC Learn Serve Lead always provides a rich environment for professional growth and networking with medical educators from across the country,” she said. “This year’s conference offered valuable insights into how emerging technologies, particularly AI and data analytics, are shaping the future of medical education.”
Margaret C. Lo, M.D., FACP, a professor and the assistant dean of medical education research, scholarship and faculty development at UF, joined colleagues from other medical schools for two presentations focused on best practices for helping students through the match process and in their transition to residency training.
Meredith Thompson, M.D., M.A.Ed., the interim assistant dean of student affairs and a clinical associate professor of emergency medicine at UF, also joined the group of Gators and representatives from schools across the state at the annual meeting.
Meredith Thompson, M.D., M.A.Ed., right, and Phuong B. Huynh, Ph.D., M.Ed., left, presenting their poster together at the conference.
Photo courtesy of Phuong B. Huynh.
Like Huynh, Thompson went into the conference eager to learn the latest advancements in medical education, with a specific focus on how to advise students as they go through the match process and transition into residency. She also presented a poster and led a talk on how the UF College of Medicine is improving support for teaching, mentorship and research.
“This meeting stood out by providing especially timely information in light of the many changes that have and are to occur with the residency match process and financial aid for students,” she said. “I was additionally moved by information I learned about food insecurity among medical students. This has spurred new ideas about how our UF College of Medicine Office of Student Affairs can better support our students.”
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