A Message from the AMA-WPC Governing Council Chair

Dear AMA-WPC Members:

Our recent AMA Annual Meeting proved to be exciting for the WPC as we celebrated 30 years of a formal Women in Medicine program here at the AMA. The House of Delegates (HOD) convened in June 2009, considering over 300 policy items and conducting a variety of timely educational sessions.  (Go to the 2009 Annual Meeting of the AMA HOD Web site for more information).  Your WPC convened its annual caucus and was an active participant throughout the meeting. 

Attendees of the WPC Caucus were granted a first look at new data from 2008 Giambalvo Scholarship winners Sue Yom, MD and Maurice Clifton, MD.  Dr. Yom discussed her study on why women faculty leave and the costs associated by the respective institutions due to this lack of retention. Dr. Clifton’s presentation dealt with obstacles he believes are preventing more women from practicing in rural areas. At the caucus, a large cake was also brought in to celebrate the 30th anniversary. Over 150 people were in attendance at this wonderful event.

WPC-Liaisons and leaders were also invited to a special breakfast at the AMA’s Annual meeting that provided attendees with the opportunity to network and discuss activities and issues of particular interest to women physicians.  Attendance was smaller at this year’s event than expected due to the speech from President Obama that same morning. However, all in attendance had a good time and were glad they were able to meet each other and report on initiatives taking place in their states and specialties. Going forward, we are looking to remain even more engaged with our valued WPC liaisons.

Our annual September Women in Medicine Month celebration provides an additional venue for acknowledging the influence of women physicians in medicine. This year’s theme “Honoring our Past, Mentoring our Future” celebrates our 30 year anniversary of a Women in Medicine program here at the AMA and honors those physicians who have contributed to the success of women physicians.

Through its Physician Mentor Recognition Program, the AMA-WPC will recognize those physicians who have made a difference in our professional lives.  We have received several nominations during our 3rd year of conducting the program.  The deadline to nominate a mentor is July 31. For more information on the program, visit http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/member-groups-sections/women-physicians-congress/mentor-recognition.shtml. All nominated mentors will be recognized through a special commemorative book to be distributed at the WPC Caucus during the upcoming Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates.

The WPC looks forward to your participation at the Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates.  We will host our Caucus on Saturday, November 7, where we will honor our 2009 mentors.

The WPC continues to be a forum for members to discuss policy items before the AMA, and to foster leadership development within the organization. We would love to hear from you. Send an e-mail to wpc@ama-assn.org if there are any issues you would like us to work on or bring forward. We are in regular communication with our members, and with the leadership of the AMA Board of Trustees.  Thank you for your continued involvement in this dynamic organization.

Jennifer L. Wiler, MD, MBA
AMA-WPC Governing Council Chair