Government Relations Advocacy Fellowship

The AMA-MSS' Government Relations Advocacy Fellowship (GRAF) for medical students is currently in its fourth year. One Fellow is selected each spring to work in Washington, D.C., as a full-time paid member of the AMA's Federal advocacy team for one year. This exciting opportunity is available to any AMA-MSS member in good standing at a medical school in the United States and presents an exceptional opportunity for an interested student to take a first-hand look at the workings of the federal government. We are seeking talented students who want to learn. The advocacy skills gained will stay with you throughout your life, so apply today!

The Fellow is responsible for working with the AMA’s federal advocacy team to advance the Association's legislative agenda and policies on behalf of physicians, patients and medical students. The Fellow reports to the AMA’s Director of the Division of Legislative Counsel. Some examples of duties and assignments for a Fellow include:

• Researching and analyzing current issues in health and medical education policy.
• Meeting and working with leaders in health care policy and advocacy to help implement the AMA’s action plan on our key issues.
• Developing talking points, letters, and other advocacy documents.
• Attending national AMA meetings, including the AMA-MSS and AMA Annual and Interim Meetings, AMA Council on legislation meetings, and the AMA National Advocacy Conference.

A key goal for the fellowship is to educate medical student, resident and young physician AMA members about issues in public health and health policy in order to encourage activism and leadership in local communities. Potential projects that a Fellow may carry out to increase activism include the following:

• Developing educational presentations, fact sheets and other communication tools.
• Speaking to medical students and resident physicians to inform them about public health and policy issues.
• Promoting timely grassroots political and legislative activism.
• Helping the AMA-MSS to develop and communicate its policy agenda.
• Providing regular legislative updates to the AMA-MSS leadership and MSS Assembly.
• Providing weekly updates on the issues in Washington, D.C., important to medical students via the Medical Student Insider online newsletter.

Applicants are not expected to be proficient advocates and managers at the start of the fellowship. It is meant to be a learning experience where proficiencies will be developed or enhanced. Prior health policy, legislative, or political experience is helpful. Additionally, there are a number of skills that will help the Fellow to maximize the benefit of his or her time in Washington, D.C.:

• Writing and public speaking
• Computer literacy for research and presentations.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Flexibility in schedule, as extended work hours, including some weekends, are sometimes required.

If you are interested in the 2008-2009 GRAF position, please complete the application by Jan. 31, 2008. For additional information, please contact the Department of Medical Student Services at mss@ama-assn.org.