Association of Minority Residents & Fellows (AMRF)
The Association of Minority Residents and Fellows (AMRF) was founded in 2014 by Dr. Charity I. Oyedeji and Dr. Ugo Awa, distinguished alumni of the Internal Medicine and Pediatrics (Med-Peds) residency program. Their vision was to cultivate a professional network that supports individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds in medicine, along with their colleagues, through shared experiences, mentorship, and collaborative learning.
AMRF fosters a welcoming environment where medical trainees can connect across disciplines, exchange perspectives, and strengthen their professional development.
The organization also serves as a forum for addressing challenges within the healthcare system that affect patient care and provider well-being. Since its founding, AMRF has expanded significantly to include MD and DO trainees across all specialties at the University of Rochester Medical Center, reflecting a commitment to excellence, community, and mutual support.
Our Mission & Goals
Our Mission
Our Mission
AMRF is dedicated to empowering medical trainees across all disciplines at the University of Rochester Medical Center by supporting their recruitment, development, and long-term success. We strive to build and maintain a strong professional network through mentorship, peer engagement, and collaborative initiatives.
Our goal is to promote the growth of our members, their colleagues, and the broader medical community through meaningful connections and advocacy. We are intentional about cultivating environments that prioritize psychological safety, cultural awareness, and social responsibility—spaces where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally.
Our Goals
Advancement: provide career development opportunities for members and allies across all fields of medicine locally and nationally.
Networking & Collaboration: engage with departments within URMC and organizations within the greater Rochester community to provide a social and professional support network for members and allies.
Mentorship: foster and strengthen the pipeline from the medical student to the faculty level for all members and allies.
Recruitment & Retention: We aim to strengthen the breadth of perspectives within our training programs and faculty by actively recruiting outstanding clinical trainees from a wide range of backgrounds. Our commitment to retention is reflected in efforts to cultivate a professional environment that values collaboration, mutual respect, and long- term career development.
Community Advocacy: serving our surrounding community by providing health education, outreach, and promoting engagement opportunities
Position Descriptions
President
Our president serves as our institutional contact-person for AMRF. This person is responsible for creating and developing yearly long-term and short-term goals for the organization and delegating the tasks required to accomplish the stated goals. They ensure the continuation of scheduled programming and plan and execute monthly executive board meetings.
Vice President
Our vice president also serves as our institutional contact-person for AMRF. This person is responsible for supporting the president with the aforementioned duties, including acting as president in the event that the president is indisposed.
Secretary
Our secretary is responsible for keeping our trainee lists, email listserv, and other group lists current. Additionally, this person serves as our organization’s record keeper– recording event attendance and keeping and distributing meeting minutes.
Treasurer(s)
Our treasurers are responsible for creating and updating our yearly budget. They will track cash flow, including annual funding and other external funds. Additionally, they serve as the official contacts for any financial matters for our organization.
Mentorship Chair(s)
Our Mentorship Chairs are responsible for representing AMRF at organization meetings both in the community and the University of Rochester Medical School. They are responsible for organizing resident and fellow engagement in medical student activities, organizing mentorship, networking and other social opportunities with the medical students of the University of Rochester. They will also be responsible for attending meetings with organizations in the community, taking meetings minutes and providing these to the AMRF Secretary for record keeping and distribution as well as identifying opportunities in the community for mentorship with medical students and attendings.
GME Liaison
Our Graduate Medical Education (GME) liaison will represent AMRF at monthly Graduate Medical Education Conference (GMEC) meetings, taking meeting minutes, and providing these to the secretary for record keeping and distribution.
Wellness Chair(s)
Our wellness chairs are responsible for organizing social events and opportunities for AMRF trainees to interact with each other outside of the hospital. They work with the public relations chair to keep our social media presence strong.
Community Service Chair(s)
Our community service chairs are responsible for leading and organizing community involvement efforts, creating and sustaining a running database of ongoing community service opportunities, and working closely with the public relations chair to keep the community engagement portion of the website updated. They also work to spearhead community service and outreach efforts to better the health of our surrounding city through healthcare education and engagement.
Public Relations Chair(s)
Our public relations chairs are responsible for monitoring and updating all AMRF social media platforms. They will work closely with our affiliate organizations, and our community service and social chairs to keep the website updated with joint events, medical student engagement, mentorship, networking, community engagement, and social events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can become a member or ally of AMRF?
Any current or former URMC resident or fellow (MD/DO) who shares AMRF’s commitment to fostering environments where colleagues from diverse backgrounds feel respected, supported, and professionally empowered is welcome to join.
A member is someone who identifies with communities that have been less represented in the medical profession. A supporter is someone who may not identify with these communities but actively upholds AMRF’s mission and values. Both members and supporters are encouraged to engage in our mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and community- building events.
We also invite all participants to champion respectful, culturally aware, and socially responsible practices within their departments across the University. For additional opportunities to get involved at URMC, please visit the Office of Engagement & Enrichment.
How can I apply to be a part of AMRF?
During your resident/fellow orientation, AMRF will have a presentation during which time we will have those interested scan a QR code that will bring you to the application. If you miss us during your orientation, please feel free to reach out to us at AMRF@URMC.Rochester.edu