At the 2000 Interim Meeting, the AMA voted in favor of BOT Report 19 to increase medical student representation in the AMA House of Delegates (HOD). There are over 48,000 medical student members in the AMA, making the AMA-MSS the largest medical student organization in the nation. The HOD passed policy that will begin to provide a proportional method for representing medical students within the HOD. Based on membership numbers, each designated region of the country will receive additional delegates to the HOD in the ratio of 1 Delegate and 1 Alternate Delegate for every 2000 medical student members.

At the 2001 Annual Meeting, the MSS adopted Governing Council Report A, Medical Student Representation in the AMA House of Delegates: Regional Delegate Elections. This report provided recommendations on the election process of the MSS Regional Delegates. The first Regional Delegates and Alternate Delegates werel elected at the 2001 Interim Meeting and begin service on their respective state delegations at the 2002 Annual Meeting.

Based on current membership numbers for the MSS, there are 20 Regional Delegates and 20 Regional Alternate Delegates to the HOD (see current roster).  For 2008, there will be 19 Regional Delegates and 19 Regional Alternate Delegates to the HOD, elected by their Regions at the 2007 MSS Interim Meeting.  Regional Delegates/Alternates to the AMA House of Delgates have the opportunity to participate in the policy-making process and impact the issues that the AMA advocates for. To assist new Regional Delegates/Alternates, the MSS Governing Council created the Regional Delegate Handbook (Word, 88KB), which includes responsibilities of Regional Delegates/Alternates and the House Coordination Committee, as well as tips on providing testimony at the HOD reference committees.

Regional Delegates and Alternates are elected at each AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting according to guidelines established by the Regions (see Region Web sites for bylaws). We encourage any interested student to apply!

Governing Council Report A (A-01)

Governing Council Report A (A-01): Medical Student Representation in the HOD: Regional Delegate Elections

Board of Trustees Report 19 (I-00)

BOT Report 19, I-00 Medical Student Representation in the AMA House of Delegates, Resolutions 607 and 614, A-00

Regional Delegate Responsibilities

AMA-Medical Student Section Regional Delegate Responsibilities

House Coordinating Committee Responsibilities

AMA-Medical Student Section House Coordinating Committee responsibilities

Tips on Providing Testimony at HOD Reference Committees

AMA-Medical Student Section Tips on Providing Testimony to the House of Delegates

Apply for Regional Delegate

Apply now to become a regional delegate or alternate to the HOD.