Policy promotion grant

Application procedure

Who can apply - Any resident or fellow member of the AMA interested in initiating a project that will further an AMA policy stated in the AMA Policy Compendium or an AMA-RFS policy stated in the AMA-RFS Digest of Actions.

How to apply - Residents must submit an application (PDF, 25KB) and relevant supporting documentation to rfs@ama-assn.org.

How grants are awarded - Grant applications are reviewed by a committee consisting of five AMA staff and one resident physician. Applications must be endorsed by the state medical society of the state in which the resident resides. Following the review, applicants are notified of the committee's decision. Grant checks are sent to the state medical society which dispenses funds to the appropriate organization. (Grant checks cannot be made out to individual residents). Grant recipients are required to submit a program evaluation to the AMA after the program is completed.

Grants recently awarded

Pediatric literacy
Jennifer Owen, DO (American Academy of Pediatrics), was awarded a grant to purchase 500-1,000 books for children. The books will be distributed to children free of charge at the pediatric clinic at Walter Reed Army Medical Center during their well-child visit. The program will encourage literacy among children and promote parent-child bonding through education.

Early childhood home safety
Don Hayes, MD (North Carolina Medical Society), was awarded a grant to purchase flyers and educational materials for families of patients seen in pediatric continuity clinics at the East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine on the importance of early childhood safety and injury prevention.

Cancer education
Sunil Krishnan, MD (Zumbro Valley Medical Society), was awarded a grant to provide educational information regarding cancer and to assist cancer patients and their families with maintaining connections with loved ones at home. The project was carried out at the Hope Lodge in Rochester, Minn., a temporary housing facility where cancer patients being treated for prolonged periods of time can stay with their families.

Organized medicine presentation
Sara Wasserbauer, MD (American College of Physicians) was awarded a grant to present a "Spring Fling" presentation on organized medicine. The program goals included education for first, second, and third-year internal medicine residents on resident working conditions, medical student loan deferment, update on progress, and empower residents to make an impact on the issues at the grassroot level. Handouts, talking points, and resources were provided at a formal dinner presentation.

Women's health awareness
Amit Lamba, MD (American Society for Clinical Pathology), was awarded a grant to increase awareness about the use of the Pap smear as a screening tool for women's health. Dr. Lambit focused on methods for promoting education and understanding of Pap smear results, as well as strategies for providing reminders about annual Pap smears. Flyers and calendars were provided at a presentation at the Forest Park Public Library.

African-American men and cardiovascular disease risk
Garth Graham, MD (Massachusetts Medical Society), was awarded a grant to develop a culturally competent educational program centered on nutrition and exercise for reducing cardiovasular disease risk factors in African-American men. Dr. Graham utilized a work-group format, which provided educational materials on diet, exercise, blood pressure monitoring, and preventive health -- in addition to obtaining feedback from the participants.