Fourth-year Campbell University medical student Asia-La’Rae M. Walker is determined to help people. To improve their health and their lives, by treating them with compassion and empathy.

Walker, of Greensboro, was recently elected to serve as the student member on the board of directors for the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM), a national community of academic leaders committed to developing an accomplished family medicine workforce, prepared to serve as the foundation of America’s health care system, the group’s website says.

“I am truly honored and excited to be selected as the student representative on the board of directors for the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine,” Walker said in a press release. “In this role, I will contribute directly to discussions and decisions that shape the future of family medicine education, while also serving as a voting member on both the board of directors and the Medical Student Education Committee.”

As part of that student committee, Walker will help oversee the Conference on Medical Student Education, the National Clerkship Curriculum and various policy statements, as well as review poster submissions and peer-completed submissions for the conference.

“I am extremely proud of Asia-La’Rae on this accomplishment,” said Dr. Tiffany Lowe Clayton, Family Medicine vice chair and assistant professor at the Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine in a press release. “She has been consistent as a student who is not only passionate about family medicine, but also about health equity, and I believe that she will represent STFM and (CUSOM) well. I look forward to continuing to witness her success and know that she will be an excellent future family physician.”

The mission of STFM is advancing family medicine to improve health through a community of teachers and scholars.

Its members include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, behavioral health specialists, researchers, pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals, health system executives, administrators, coordinators, fellows, residents, students and others involved in the education of family physicians. 

Walker earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she obtained her master’s degree in Public Health. She, too, has a long list of achievements and service, including completing leadership programs with the N.C. Medical Society, previously serving as president of the CUSOM Chapter of the Student National Medical Association and in the Campbell University Community Care Clinic, where she served as clinic manager. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Before coming to Campbell, Walker worked with Wake County health experts during the COVID pandemic and as a Public Health adviser for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Communicable Disease Branch.

In that role, she delivered technical HIV/AIDS and syphilis consultation in a 28-county North Carolina region to clinicians, health directors and health department personnel regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s infectious diseases treatment guidelines.

Walker, who will soon become a DO, is a strong advocate for the concept of holistic medicine, treating and caring for the “whole” person. 

She’s excited about graduating next year. About getting a residency, about pursuing a career in family medicine. For now, though, Walker is enjoying the process, including the prestigious election to the STFM board.

“As a future family medicine physician, I am deeply committed to fostering inclusive, community-centered care — values that STFM has long embodied through its dedication to mentorship, advocacy, education, and innovation,” Walker said. “In this role, I look forward to serving as an ambassador to engage more medical students in STFM activities and academic family medicine. With primary care facing a growing physician shortage, STFM’s work to train, support, and inspire the next generation of family physicians is more critical than ever, and I am grateful to be part of that mission.”

Editor’s note: This is a condensed version of a press release posted by Campbell University. You can see the full version of the release here.