Residency Review Committees

The AMA-YPS Governing Council nominates young physician candidates who are interested in serving on a residency review committee (RRC). RRCs propose requirements for revising residency program accreditation standards and ensure compliance with standards by individual programs. Membership on each RRC consists of an equal number of representatives appointed by the American Medical Association, the appropriate medical specialty board, and for most, the designated national medical specialty society. The Council on Medical Education reviews all nominations and ranks the candidates; the Board of Trustees, however, actually makes the selection.

General Information

Committee size is variable, ranging from as few as six representatives to a maximum of fifteen members. Also, several committees have "slotted" resident physician positions. AMA appointments are for a two-year period, with the maximum tenure being six years.

The time commitment also varies from RRC to RRC, from at few as two days per year to as many as 15 days annually. Beyond the time commitment involved in attending meetings, considerable time is needed to prepare for the meetings.

The following RRCs exist: Allergy and Immunology, Anesthesiology, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Dermatology, Diagnostic Radiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Medical Genetics, Neurological Surgery, Neurology, Nuclear Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Plastic Surgery, Preventive Medicine, Psychiatry, Radiation Oncology, Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, and Urology.

Specific information on any RRC is available by contacting the AMA Group on Medical Education.

General Qualifications

To be nominated by the AMA-YPS Governing Council, one:

• Must be an AMA member and qualify for the YPS (under age 40 or any age if in the first eight years of practice following completion of a residency).

• Must have two letters of recommendation. A letter from a specialty society is preferable, but not mandatory.

• Must be residency trained in the discipline in question.

• Must be board certified in the discipline in question.

• Should be active in organized medicine.

• Should have committee activity of some kind.

• Should have knowledge of the process of accreditation.

• Should have an academic appointment, and current or recent experience in the conduct of an accredited residency training program is preferable.

• Should have knowledge of the AMA as an organization representation the medical profession.

The Governing Council will determine the number of nominees for any position.

The Governing Council also will consider supporting the nomination of any young physician sponsored by his/her state or specialty society.