Timelines of AMA History

1847 to 1899
The founding and early years of the AMA were a time of dramatic change and growth for the medical profession.

1900 to 1920
AMA advocated for higher medical education training standards and created the House of Delegates.

1921 to 1940
Specialty boards in medicine were officially recognized, and many AMA specialty journals were born.

1941 to 1960
The AMA navigated through political and public health issues.

1961 to 1979
The AMA addressed health insurance and public health concerns.

The 1980s
The AMA worked on the issues of AIDS and other health care delivery issues.

The 1990s
Advances in high-tech medicine brought with them ethical, financial and political pressures which the AMA worked to address.

The 2000s
In the 21st century the AMA continues to be the leading advocate for physicians and their patients, always working to improve America's health care system.

The 2010s
The debate over health system reform continues, and technology introduces new opportunities in reaching physicians and patients.