El Paso physician teaches to invest in the future of family medicine

Rebecca Campos, MD, FAAFP, can tell you exactly the moment she realized a career in medicine was for her. Her elementary school teacher introduced the class to her own siblings — twin physicians serving their hometown community of El Paso. Campos says that their example sparked an interest in her. She also credits an unexpected opportunity to teach a high school algebra class with the realization that she wanted to teach. It wasn’t until medical school and residency that she realized she could do both.

Campos is now a course director for clinical skills in the pre-clerkship curriculum at Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso, where she blends compassionate care with meaningful teaching. “My journey has taught me that sometimes your path unfolds in layers — and when you remain open to opportunity, your passions can come together in ways you never imagined,” says Campos.

What advice would you give to students who are choosing a specialty?
When I meet with students, I encourage them to look at what field both ignites and sustains their interest. While there are many fields that can be fascinating, find which one will maintain the feeling of fulfillment daily and as they look forward five, 10, and 20 years from now. Align their personal strengths with their personality traits, such as the steady, long-term relationship with patients in continuity versus a fast-paced, intense environment. Every field will have both rewards and strengths, as well as trade-offs.

How do you feel about the future of the specialty?
I am hopeful and encouraged about the future of family medicine. Our specialty provides a unique relationship with longevity and depth that absolutely no other field offers. The ability to expand skills within our specialty or direct our skills more narrowly provides the flexibility to shift a practice to meet the patient’s needs and physician’s new interests. 

What makes family medicine worth choosing?
What makes family medicine a highly rewarding and valuable path is the comprehensive nature that allows meaningful patient and family relationships through the patient’s entire life. The families that span multiple generations demonstrate a continuity that is unique to our specialty and is the best example of a patient-physician relationship built on trust, purpose, and professional fulfillment.

The breadth and adaptability that family medicine offers allows us to build our practice around our interests and passions. It is a privileged experience to walk through the different seasons in a patient and family’s life. Being able to teach a wide breadth of medicine to a variety of learners in different stages of their education has also been remarkably fulfilling.

This member profile is part of TAFP's coverage of Match Day 2026, taking place on March 20, 2026. Check out all of TAFP's Match Day coverage here.