For Residents

Over $9 million allocated to help students repay loans

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced more than $9 million in funding will be granted to help medical students repay school loans if they agree to work in underserved areas.

During a visit to a health clinic in downtown Los Angeles, Sebelius said the program would encourage more students to pursue careers in family medicine and help relieve a shortage of primary care doctors. "Most Americans who live in underserved areas don't have access to basic care," she said during the visit to Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center. 

In the past, Sebelius has said that not enough attention was paid to workforce issues, the Los Angeles Times reported. But that has changed, and now there is more effort to expand that workforce, including training primary care doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The loan repayment program, also funded by the federal law, is part of the National Health Service Corps and provides up to $120,000 to students who commit to spending three years as primary care doctors in areas where there are shortages.

The AMA has numerous resources and policies on medical student financing and debt.

Apply for a media rotation with the Discovery Channel

AMA member residents, fellows and medical students are invited to apply for the AMA/Discovery Channel elective, an exclusive opportunity to translate rigorous scientific data into an entertaining and informational program.

During the elective, one resident/fellow and one medical student will work to develop a medical education program that will air on the Discovery Channel. The resident/fellow and student will work primarily at Discovery Communications headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., but will also travel to relevant on-site and studio shoots for the program. A stipend of $3,000 will be provided to cover living expenses.

Dates and length of the rotation are flexible. Applications are due March 15.

If you're not an AMA member, join today.

Become a "very influential physician" with Congress

Help advance AMA advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill by participating in the AMA's Very Influential Physician (VIP) program. Designed to leverage physicians' existing personal relationships with elected officials, this program enables physicians to educate and engage members of Congress on the issues that are important to organized medicine.

Learn more about the program.

Submit a resolution for the AMA-RFS Annual Aseembly Meeting

The 36th annual AMA Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) Annual Assembly Meeting will take place June 14–16 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Resolutions and reports are due May 4.  For more information on the assembly process and how to write and submit a resolution, visit the AMA-RFS Assembly Web page.