Meet the MSS GRAF
My name is T.R. Eckler and I will be serving as the AMA Government Relations Advocacy Fellow (GRAF) from July 2009 to June 2010 in the Washington, D.C., office of the AMA. I will attempt in this year to follow in the impressive footsteps of the past five GRAFs and be your advocate on the issues that matter to physicians, fellows, residents, and especially medical students. Health politics and policy are moving at an unprecedented pace this year, and I will work for you with the AMA to provide continual updates and insights as things develop.
As the Fellow, I will keep you informed and active through updates to the MSS policy listserv, more detailed analysis of current policy developments in the Medical Student Insider, and presentations at local, regional, and national meetings. Following closely with these updates, I will provide opportunities to for medical student advocacy in forms such as letters to Congress, the development of MSS resolutions, or the planning and coordination of the Student, Resident, and Fellow Lobby Day here in Washington this spring. I will also work closely with the MSS Governing Council, MSS leadership, and committees of the MSS to engage our medical students and enable them to effect the kinds of changes that make big policy changes like covering the uninsured possible.
This year has the potential to see the greatest changes ever in the history of U.S. health policy, and our ability to do anything about those changes starts with our members. I am here first and foremost as your insider and advocate, and I welcome your calls, e-mails, and insights on what is important to medical students. Take a minute from preparing for a future of caring for your patients and let me know what’s on your mind. Make your voice heard. Together we are stronger.
T.R. Eckler
AMA Government Relations Advocacy Fellow
(202) 789-7424
thomas.eckler@ama-assn.org
