Resident Spotlight - Angelika Kwak, MD, MPH

Angelika Kwak first got involved with the AMA as a medical student at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. She had a desire to engage in public health and policy work and was chosen as a delegate for the Illinois medical student section. She attended Illinois State Medical Society meetings, brought the Illinois delegation's perspective to AMA meetings, and participated in commenting on, testifying about, and voting on resolutions. “I really believe the importance of making change on a larger scale, and that is through policy work.”

What happened when you attended the AAFP National Conference as a student?

“This was one of the most important conferences of my life because this is actually where I met my current residency right now, which is my dream residency and I feel really supported here.” She has since returned to the conference as a resident to recruit medical students, and will return in 2026 with her residency’s team.

AAFP Resident Delegate to the AMA

During her intern year, she learned about the AAFP Resident Delegate to the AMA position, a two-year appointed role that involves bringing the AAFP and resident voice into the AMA.

“Throughout residency, I knew that I also wanted to continue my work in policy and just making change. I learned more about this position at the FUTURE conference and I was able to attend one of the delegates' meeting and talk to someone afterwards to ask them more about that. I know how important the AMA is, and I think being able to bring that perspective from the AAFP and be one of the voices of primary care and share the things that we see as family medicine, is extremely important. I didn't know if I was going to get it because I know how competitive it is.”  Her experience and strong application paid off, and she was selected for the role. 

Angelika acknowledged that every AMA meeting is a significant learning experience, likening it to drinking from a fire hydrant. While she felt somewhat more comfortable than as a first-time medical student delegate, she continues to learn from the people, policies, and procedures at each meeting. At her first AMA meeting in D.C. last year as a resident delegate, she knew that these were her people and this is her space, and she embraced the challenge.

“I have had an amazing time really being with the delegation and meeting the other delegates who are just really humble, hardworking, really passionate people. And it's just an honor to be able to work alongside them. And I'm learning every time with them.”

Top Issues from the 2026 Resident Fellow Section

She highlighted four key areas: (1) immigration rights, specifically ensuring immigrant patients feel safe in healthcare settings; (2) artificial intelligence transparency in medicine across all specialties; (3) mitigating resident burnout, including ensuring residents have safe transportation home; and (4) establishing standards for public health leaders.

Unexpected but Welcome Encounter at the AMA Meeting

It was a coincidence — a local dance group that Dr. Kwak belongs to also had a place at the AMA meeting. She had the honor of introducing them at the conference where they performed and led a salsa dancing class for AMA attendees.

This allowed her to bring together her two greatest passions: medicine/policy and dance. She introduced her dance colleagues to her fellow delegates and has since set up meetings to explore how to further integrate creative arts with policy and public health. She views dance, creative expression, and policy as interconnected tools for community building and healing.

Serving as host for the dance event, a group photo with her fellow dancers at the AMA meeting and a 2025 photo of Dr. Kwak as a salsa dancer. Photos provided by Dr. Kwak.  

Angelika, who is of Polish background, was always drawn to Latin culture and dance, and began taking salsa lessons. “I've been dancing for a couple of years now. So it was just a beautiful time to be able to incorporate both my biggest passions in medicine and dance, and the fun of introducing them at the event.  It's all a part of healing, too. I feel like medicine is not the only thing that can cause healing, but it's also dance, creative arts, expression, and then also obviously through policy and public health and making sure that we're making change on a bigger side.”

Importance of Continued Advocacy Beyond Clinical Work

Dr. Kwak believes advocacy is a core duty of physicians, as doctors have the unique privilege of understanding patients' lives both inside and outside of medicine. She is currently developing an advocacy curriculum for her residency which will enable residents to understand and act in advocacy, through curriculum options from one to four weeks in length.

“All residents are passionate about something. So I’m creating a curriculum that allows them to explore their passions, while providing structure and resources along with advocacy training on how to engage.” Her larger dream is to eventually take her curriculum nationwide. “Advocacy doesn’t mean you have to go to [Washington] DC, but it can be. You can also work within your local hospital or community. I want to give residents the skills, knowledge and the confidence to advocate.”

Dr. Kwak plans to apply for a health policy fellowship after residency and will spend a month at the AAFP Robert Graham Center for Health Policy working on an advocacy curriculum project.

Watch the full interview