Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians Honors Courtney Horton

The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) has honored Courtney Horton with the 2024 Medical Student Leadership Award. This prestigious award is given annually to a medical student who exemplifies outstanding leadership in family medicine.

Horton, a graduating member of the University of Minnesota Medical School class of 2024, is recognized for her passion, focus, and dedication to family medicine, especially her efforts to address health disparities among Indigenous populations.

Starting her medical training at the Duluth campus, Horton was drawn to its mission of training family physicians, emphasizing rural medicine and Native American health. During her time as a medical student, she was not only actively involved in programs like the Rural Medical Scholars Program, Summer Internship in Medicine, and the Rural Physician Associate Program but also participated in various interest groups related to family medicine, obstetrics, women in medicine, and medical students for choice, showcasing her diverse and dedicated approach to her medical education.

Horton’s contributions extended beyond her academic commitments. She served on the Admissions Committee for the Duluth campus, the Admissions Student Advisory Committee (serving both Duluth and Twin Cities campuses), and the Center of American Indian and Minority Health Native Curriculum Advisory Board. She was a community liaison for HOPE Clinic, a student-run free clinic in Duluth. Horton was also an executive board member of the Association of Native American Medical Students and served as President of her local chapter on the Duluth campus.

One nominator praised Horton’s collaboration with Ojibwe elders to develop a culturally-centered group prenatal care curriculum for tribal communities, which integrated traditional healing practices. The nominator noted, “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 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, as well as family medicine.”