Latest revisions to the Rules and Regulations of the Council on Medical Education, as adopted by the Council on August 21, 1999. Approved by the Board of Trustees October 7, 1999. Further revisions adopted by the Council June 14, 2002 and approved by the Board of Trustees October 2002. Further revisions adopted by the Council on June 9, 2006 and approved by the Board of Trustees October 2006(See also: Council's Bylaws.)
The Council on Medical Education (CME) derives its identity from the Bylaws of the Association (January 2005).
Functions
The CME will study and evaluate issues related to all phases of medical education, as referred by the House of Delegates or as determined by the Council, and will recommend means by which the AMA may favorably influence the quality and availability of medical education as a service to the public and the profession.
Membership
The Council shall consist of twelve active members of the AMA, at least one of whom is a private practitioner of medicine who is not a salaried faculty member of a medical school, one of whom is a resident physician, and one of whom is a medical student.
All members shall have the right to participate fully in meetings of the Council, including the right to make motions and to vote on policy issues, elections, appointments or nominations conducted by the Council. Any member may serve as chair of standing or ad hoc committees.
Election, terms of council members, and vacancies
Ten AMA members shall be elected by the House of Delegates for four-year terms and may serve no more than eight years. The resident physician member shall be elected by the House of Delegates for a term of three years. The medical student member shall be elected for a one-year (renewable) term. Provisions for service and vacancies to be filled will be in accordance with AMA Bylaws.
Officers
Executive committee. The Executive Committee of the CME shall consist of the Chair, Chair-Elect, Past Chair, and a fourth at-large member. If the Past Chair is no longer a member of the Council (for example, because his/her term has expired), the Executive Committee will consist of three members.
Elections. The CME shall elect annually a Chair-Elect and a fourth member of the Executive Committee from among its members. The elections shall be held after elections of Council members by the House of Delegates at the Annual Meeting but before adjournment of the House of Delegates.
The Chair-Elect and the fourth member of the Executive Committee shall be elected by a majority vote of those present and voting by secret ballot. Proxy votes will not be allowed (?). Council members will be contacted by the Council Secretary prior to the Annual Meeting and asked to indicate if they have an interest in being elected as Chair-Elect or the fourth member of the Executive Committee. Those interested in seeking election would then make a two minute presentation to the entire Council, immediately prior to Council elections, stating their interest and qualifications.
If necessary, balloting shall be repeated until a member is elected. Should the office of Chair become vacant between reorganization meetings of the CME, the Chair-Elect shall automatically accede to that office and serve the unexpired term. A new Chair-Elect shall be elected immediately from among CME members. Should the office of the Chair-Elect become vacant, a new Chair-Elect shall be elected immediately from among CME members.
Term and tenure of Chair and Chair-Elect. The Chair and Chair-Elect shall be elected for one year terms and cannot stand for reelection. The term of the Chair shall end at the close of the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates and the Chair-Elect shall assume the Chair at that time, except as outlined above.
Meetings
Quorum. A quorum for any meeting of the CME shall consist of seven voting members.
Presiding officer. The Chair of the CME or, in his/her absence, the Chair-Elect shall be the presiding officer of the CME. If both the Chair and the Chair-Elect are absent, the Chair will designate a presiding officer.
Schedule of meetings. The CME shall meet prior to and during meetings of the AMA House of Delegates, at least two other times in the year, and at such other times as are agreed upon by the members or as deemed necessary by the Chair with appropriate advance notice.
Attendance at meetings. Members of the Council are expected to attend all regularly scheduled meetings. Excused absences will be granted by the Chair. Interested observers and invited guests may attend meetings, except those held in Executive Session.
Attendance at Executive Sessions. Attendance at Executive Sessions shall be limited to members of the CME, Board of Trustees liaisons, the Section on Medical Schools liaison and staff. Other persons whose presence is necessary for the consideration of agenda items or whose presence will contribute to the work of the CME may be invited to participate in specific portions of the Executive Session.
Voting during a meeting. Motions, acceptance of reports and other business of the Council requiring a vote shall be by majority of those present and voting, if a quorum is present. In the event of a tie vote, Sturgis’ rules shall be followed.
Conflicts of interest (COI), abstentions and recusals. Council members should disclose any potential conflicts of interests related to specific agenda items and should ask for a ruling from the Council’s Executive Committee about what level of participation in the discussion is appropriate, e.g., discussion alone without vote (abstention), full participation in discussion and vote, or neither (recusal).
If there is a potential COI when a Council member nominates a candidate for any appointed or elected position external to the Council, the potential conflict should be fully disclosed in the nomination letter.
Confidentiality of Deliberations. It is expected that matters discussed during the Executive Session of the Council will remain confidential and that materials distributed in the Executive Session agenda will not be shared with others outside the Council. Questions related to confidentiality may be referred to the Council Chair or Secretary.
Executive Committee meetings and conference calls. Meetings and conference calls of the Executive Committee are held at the call of the Chair. The Chair may invite others to participate in the Executive Committee meetings and conference calls, but only members of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to vote. The Executive Committee may act on behalf of the CME between meetings of the CME, and all such actions shall be recorded and reported promptly to the CME.
Reference Committee hearings
The Chair, in consultation with the full Council, shall designate members to attend reference committee hearings of the House of Delegates where matters within the scope of the CME’s interests are being considered and to be available for consultation with members of reference committees.
Council committees
The three standing Subcommittees of the Council shall be the Undergraduate Medical Education Committee, the Graduate Medical Education Committee, and the Continuing Medical Education Committee. These committees and their chairs shall be appointed annually by the Council Chair, after determination of Council members’ interests. The Subcommittee will consist of Council members. The liaison from the Section on Medical Schools typically serves as a member of the Undergraduate Medical Education Subcommittee.
Nominating committee. The Council Chair shall annually appoint the (four-member) Nominating Committee and Nominating Committee Chair to review the applications for appointment/nomination to medical education committees (including accrediting bodies, Residency Review Committees, medical specialty boards). Nominating Committee members are limited to four one-year terms, which need not be served concurrently. The appointment of the Nominating Committee will occur after the conclusion of the Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates and before the next meeting of the Council. The Committee shall review applications and make recommendations to the full Council for approval. The Executive Committee shall be ex-officio members of the Nominating Committee without a vote. Board liaisons are invited guests to all nominating deliberations. Meetings, e-mails and conference calls will occur as needed throughout the year.
Ad Hoc committees. Ad hoc committees consisting of only members of the Council may be formed as needed by the Chair. These time-limited committees will be formed for a clearly stated purpose.
Expense reimbursement*
Members of the CME and of Committees of the CME will be reimbursed by the Association for expenses incurred when attending CME or Committee meetings, or in connection with the work of the CME or its Committees, when authorized in advance by the Secretary of the CME.
*It has been customary that Council members who are AMA delegates be reimbursed for their expenses during the Annual and Interim Meeting jointly by the Council on Medical Education and their delegation.
Revision of rules and regulations
A review of these Rules and Regulations and other documents pertaining to the Council’s Manner of Acting should be instituted every five years by an ad hoc committee appointed by the Chair. Changes should be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Council.
Content provided by: Council on Medical Education