The MSS created Standing Committees, with members appointed by the Governing Council for one-year terms. Applications (Word, 50KB) for 2007-2008 MSS Standing Committees are due in June 2008 (date TBD). MSS Standing Committees include Community Service, Long Range Planning, Membership Recruitment and Retention, Legislation and Advocacy, Minority Issues, Scientific Issues, International Health and Policy, Medical Ethics, Medical Education, Public Health, and the HOD Coordinating Committee.

Below are descriptions of each MSS Standing Committee:

Community Service Committee
The Community Service Committee (CSC) is dedicated to the development, promotion and implementation of community service and advocacy programs on the local, state and national levels. The committee develops informational reports, programs and resources to assist chapter and state officers in the organization and implementation of community service projects. This committee also assists in the coordination of the National Service Project at the Interim and Annual Meetings.

Committee on Long Range Planning
The Committee on Long Range Planning (COLRP) studies issues referred by the MSS Governing Council that relate to the future of the MSS, such as structure, function and strategic planning.

Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee
The Membership Recruitment and Retention (MRR) Committee provides ideas for recruitment programming and strategies, develops recruitment projects and presentations, assists in the identification and coordination of MSS recruiters at each school, and develops recruitment and retention ideas for residency member recruitment. The MRR places increased emphasis on the recruitment of inactive chapters and the further recruitment of osteopathic schools.

Committee on Legislation and Advocacy
The Committee on Legislation and Advocacy (COLA) is responsible for creating and maintaining a network of MSS chapters to accomplish grassroots political action. COLA provides sample letters, talking points and additional information and resources to assist students in responding to specific legislative issues. COLA also advances key student issues through a coordinated campaign at each national meeting. This committee works with the MSS Governing Council on accomplishing specific legislative advocacy goals.

Minority Issues Committee
The Minority Issues Committee (MIC) assists the MSS in addressing issues of concern to minority medical students. The committee also works to identify minority student needs and increase membership awareness and education on minority issues.

Committee on Scientific Issues
The Committee on Scientific Issues (CSI) is dedicated to educating the MSS on scientific issues through the development of information reports, programs and resources on scientific topics. CSI serves as an informational resource to the MSS Assembly on resolutions of scientific interest. The committee also promotes research throughout the profession by offering students a forum to present their research findings.

International Health and Policy Committee
The International Health and Policy (IHP) Committee serves as a bridge to international health issues and assists medical students in finding opportunities in clinical practice and public health abroad. IHP also developed a guide of international opportunities.

Committee on Medical Ethics
The goals of the Ad Hoc Committee on Medical Ethics is to facilitate student discussion on interesting and relevant topics in medical ethics and to heighten awareness of all the opportunities the AMA Ethics Standards Group has to offer students.

Committee on Medical Education
The Ad Hoc Committee on Medical Education (CME) was formed to function as a think-tank for the MSS on issues relating to medical education and to remain informed on the latest trends emerging in the field of medical education.

Committee on Public Health
The objectives of the Public Health committee are to review current public health issues in the literature; educate the MSS on public health topics, particularly on how public health projects can be implemented at the MSS members’ respective institutions; organize and establish the AMA-MSS as a leader in public health; and more actively involve the MSS membership in public health initiatives.

HOD Coordinating Committee
Previously a convention committee, the HOD Coordinating Committee (HCC) is now a standing committee whose members are appointed to full, one-year terms. HCC supports the MSS Delegate and Alternate Delegate, as well as student members of their state delegations, in forming a common and well-informed position on resolutions and reports presented to the AMA House of Delegates. The committee is also responsible for coordinating student testimony for HOD reference committees for all student-authored resolutions. Committee members must be available throughout the AMA-MSS and AMA House of Delegates meetings.

Community Service Committee

The Community Service Committee is dedicated to the development, promotion, and implementation of community service and advocacy programs on the local, state, and national levels.

Committee on Long Range Planning

The Committee on Long Range Planning is responsible for thorough consideration of issues vital to the long-term health of the AMA-MSS.

Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee

The Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee provides ideas for recruitment and retention programming and strategies for chapters.

Committee on Legislation and Advocacy

COLA is responsible for creating and maintaining a network of MSS chapters to accomplish grassroots political action.

Minority Issues Committee

MIC assists the MSS in addressing issues of concern to minority medical students.

Committee on Scientific Issues

The Committee on Scientific Issues (CSI) is dedicated to educating the MSS on scientific issues through the development of informational reports, programs, and resources on scientific topics.

International Health and Policy Committee

IHP serves as a bridge to international health issues and assists medical students in finding opportunities in clinical practice and public health abroad.

Committee on Medical Ethics

The Committee on Medical Ethics was created to promote awareness of relevant topics in medical ethics for medical students.

Committee on Medical Education

MSS Committee on Medical Education's (CME) goals, activities, and members.

MSS Committee on Public Health

The Committee on Public Health was created to organize and establish the AMA-MSS as a leader in public health, and more actively involve the MSS membership in public health initiatives.

Regional Infrastructure Task Force (RITForce)

This site contains a wealth of information and documents generated by the RITForce over the past few years.

Communications Task Force

The MSS Communications Task Force promotes involvement in MSS/RFS initiatives and keeps MSS members informed of what their leadership and fellow members are doing for them.

HOD Coordinating Committee

Learn more about the MSS HOD Coordinating Committee.