AMA eVoice Weekly Newsletter
I recently spoke at a University of Southern California conference on innovations in medical education, and I posed these questions to the audience: Are we preparing our students for the health care delivery system of the future? Are we preparing them to be leaders in changing that system for the better?"
From time immemorial, there has been a social contract between society and our profession. The parameters of that contract have evolved, along with changes in our world, but it's incontrovertible that a social contract exists. As one of my surgical colleagues puts it, If we were anyone other than physicians and we undressed people and cut them open, we'd be arrested for assault—or worse." There's a public trust and an expectation that we will always put the needs of our patients before our own. Our AMA Code of Medical Ethics reinforces that expectation.
But now we need to do a much better job of teaching our students to engage fully in the policy debates that shape the practice of medicine, to understand the links between health care policy and on-the-ground medical practice, and to be just stewards of finite resources. The social contract for those of us already in the profession creates an ethical and moral obligation to ensure that we, and our students, are prepared for the future.
The changes they will face may be profound. Just look at the possibilities of health information technology (Health IT) and the opportunities and challenges they present. Widespread adoption of Health IT is no longer a matter of if"—it's a question of when." The federal government is providing two incentives that I refer to as Big Green and a 2-by-4" to jumpstart adoption of Health IT. Our students may be much better prepared to deal with this than we are. We used to carry around the Washington Manual. Now they pull out the PDA and access Up to Date. Our memories were paramount; now facile information access has replaced memory, except on examinations.
We owe it to those who will follow us into this profession to prepare them to meet many challenges: diseases they'll confront, behaviors they'll help shape and scientific advances that are sure to come. They, and we, have to be lifelong learners. Some challenges need to be confronted with strong efforts but a healthy dose of reality.
The public's expectation of perfection in medical practice and in patient outcomes is unrealistic. Yet the pressure to be perfect is growing; just look at the plan to not pay for a hospital readmission within 30 days. Are our students prepared to do their best, but also to have the tough conversation with payers and lawmakers to help them understand that everything is not within our control? Or will they, like some of us, just get angry, discouraged and demoralized? Let's help them learn how to cope with those pressures and influence decisions that affect the environment in which we practice.
We are at the table, as our nation hurtles toward health reform. We are working to be constructively engaged, and also to point out dangers and unintended consequences as change is discussed. But being engaged isn't enough. We have to bring our own solutions to the table and we must always stand up for the core principles that are the bedrock of our profession.
We have to provide our colleagues and our students with examples of medical leadership, showing them that being a physician means doing all we can to help our profession grow, thrive and become empowered to do the very best for our patients and our society.
Our opportunity is right now. It's not just about us, but about those who will follow us into this profession. Let's be as creative, constructive, ethical and committed as possible. Everything is at stake.
E-mail comments, questions and replies to Dr. Nielsen
1) New resource can help with Medicare enrollment process
An online toolkit developed by the AMA and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) can assist physician practices in navigating the new requirements of the Medicare enrollment process and help doctors successfully enroll as quickly as possible without interrupting patient care or Medicare reimbursements.
This resource, which is free to members of the AMA and MGMA, aims to make the enrollment process easier by outlining the new Medicare enrollment policies, most of which took effect April 1, in an easy-to-understand format.
"This new online toolkit outlines pitfalls and provides information on how to quickly and easily navigate the complicated enrollment process," AMA Board Chair Joseph Heyman, MD, said. "We are pleased to partner with MGMA to provide our members with much needed help on the Medicare enrollment process."
AMA members can access this resource (PDF).
Visit the Web site to learn more about this resource and about two key changes in the Medicare enrollment process that could have a negative impact on patient access to care and Medicare reimbursement.
Visit the AMA Web site to renew your AMA membership or to join the AMA and have access to valuable resources such as this.
2) AMA breaks 1,000 followers mark on Twitter
Just two weeks after the AMA launched its profile on Twitter—the popular social networking and micro-blogging Web site—more than 1,000 followers have signed up to receive AMA news updates and connect with other users interested in health care.
The AMA posts a wide variety of "tweets," ranging from health system reform news to useful resources for physicians, residents and medical students. Content is continuously updated to engage followers, incorporating the latest and most relevant material.
View the AMA’s Twitter profile.
3) Physician leadership needed to help reduce registered-nurse shortage
Physicians and registered nurses share common and mutual concerns about patient safety and achieving desired care outcomes. With growing evidence demonstrating a strong correlation between the shortage of registered nurses at the bedside in hospitals and patient safety and quality of care, the AMA is working to increase physician awareness of opportunities to address and resolve the shortage.
The AMA has long-standing policy regarding this shortage and its effect on patient care. The AMA encourages physician leadership and other engagement to help solve the shortage, and it supports physician efforts to identify models and strategies that are most applicable to their communities and hospitals and will produce the best results.
View AMA policy—H-360.984, H-360.993, H-360.995, H-360.997 and H-360.999—that covers the shortage of registered nurses at the bedside in hospitals.
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4) AMA physician outreach recruiters deserve a big thanks
In conjunction with National Volunteer Week, which is this week, the AMA offers its heartfelt thanks to its physician outreach recruiters for their continued dedication to the health care profession. And a very special thank you is extended to Chicago-area recruiters who participated in the AMA’s specialty "speed dating" event that took place last month. Your support and participation greatly contributed to the overall success of the event.
The AMA welcomes new outreach recruiters. AMA members can visit the Web site to enroll and start recruiting.
5) Is a health insurer treating you unfairly? Do something about it
A number of health insurer settlements are in effect, including settlements for WellPoint/Anthem, Health Net, Humana and Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you believe that one of these health insurers is not complying with the physician protections found in their settlement agreements, consider filing a compliance dispute, a free, simple enforcement process that ensures that they are held accountable for their business practices.
Visit the Web site to learn more about these settlements, including the compliance dispute process.
6) Receive guidance about retrospective audits
Do you think that your practice might be hit by a retrospective audit? Do you even know what one is? Read the AMA members-only article "How to prepare for a health plan retrospective audit," one of the many exclusive resources offered through the AMA’s Practice Management Center (PMC).
This document, which was developed in conjunction with the American Academy of Neurology, will explain what a retrospective audit is and then walk you through the audit process, from why you may have been selected for the audit to what you need to learn and what to expect during the process. It even explains how to contest an audit.
AMA members can access this resource (PDF).
Access the AMA PMC Web site and view other practice management resources.
Visit the Web site to renew your AMA membership or to join the AMA and have access to valuable resources such as this.
7) In JAMA: Continuity of care for older adults from outpatient to hospital is low—and decreasing
The proportion of Medicare patients experiencing continuity of care between outpatient and inpatient settings decreased substantially between 1996 and 2006, with decreases occurring in all areas of the country and in all types of hospitals, according to a study in the April 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
View this week’s issue.
1) White House reaching out to GLBT leaders
Since President Barack Obama took office in January, his administration has invited leaders of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community to health care and fiscal responsibility summits, the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the executive order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls, and an online town hall meeting. A recent story in the Detroit News chronicles this new access that Joe Solmonese, head of the Human Rights Campaign, said provides chances for the GLBT community to make sure discussions of desired reforms include gay topics.
2) Tutorial covers tax subsidies for health insurance
As federal policymakers continue to study potential ways of financing health system reform efforts, the merits of current tax subsidies for health insurance continue to be a focus of discussion. The AMA supports eliminating or capping the employee income tax exclusion for employer-sponsored insurance as one possible means of funding tax credits, vouchers or other subsidies that could be used to expand health insurance coverage.
The Kaiser Family Foundation recently prepared a narrated tutorial that explains how tax subsidies for health insurance work and discusses the arguments for and against them.
3) Free health screenings offered to Colorado and Tennessee GLBT communities
Health screenings recently took place for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) communities in a pair of states.
In Colorado, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado hosted a health screening offered by 9Health Fair, a statewide health education and screening program, April 20. Many of the screenings offered were free, such as a blood pressure or body mass index (BMI) check.
In Tennessee, a health fair hosted April 18 by the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine offered free health screenings that were to include rapid HIV tests, blood pressure and BMI measurements, eye exams, lipid panels and glucose testing.
4) Gay and lesbian affirmative psychotherapy open house set in New York
Gay and Lesbian Affirmative Psychotherapy (GLAP), a division of the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP), is holding a clinical certificate open house from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow, April 24, at the ICP Library, 1841 Broadway, 4th floor, in New York. GLAP’s clinical certification series is the first psychoanalytic program of its kind and an exciting opportunity for clinicians who seek specialized training in treating the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual population. Candidates, supervisors and faculty will be on hand at the open house.
Send an e-mail to Sarah Berkowitz or call (212) 333-3444, ext. 114, for more information about the open house or to register for it.
1) Retirement plan can help practices reward key physicians
With the cost of health insurance expected to increase 8 to 10 percent, it’s become increasingly difficult for group practices to provide attractive benefits to physicians. That’s also true for retirement plans, as many options add significant cost to a practice simply because of how they’re structured.
A program offered by Corporate & Endowment Solutions Inc. (CES), called the Physicians Life Income PlanSM (PLIPSM), provides several features to help practices recruit, reward and retain key physicians and offers an efficient way for physicians to supplement their retirement savings plans. This program uses institutional grade financial products previously only available to large corporations and offers a plan that, in many ways, works like a Roth Individual Retirement Account for physicians.
AMA Insurance Agency has completed a comprehensive due diligence and screening process on CES and has approved it as a member of the agency’s Trusted Source NetworkSM.
To learn more about PLIPSM from a local CES representative in your area, contact Mike Hegwood, assistant vice president with AMA Insurance Agency, by e-mail or (312) 464-5247.
1) Vote for the section’s next leaders
Elections for the AMA-IMG Section’s 2009-2012 governing council are ongoing through May 13. AMA-IMG members whose e-mail address the AMA has on file should have been e-mailed an encrypted election ballot. If you have not received a ballot, visit the Web site and register, then cast your vote.
Contact Carolyn Carter-Ellis at (312) 464-5397 or send an e-mail if you have questions.
2) Ratify IMG Section resolutions beginning next week
AMA-IMG Section members are encouraged to vote in the section’s resolution ratification process, beginning April 30, as part of the section’s virtual congress. The final day for voting is May 7.
Visit the Web site between April 30 and May 7 to view the final AMA-IMG Section resolutions. Then send an e-mail with your votes for each resolution. Include the resolution number, your full name and your address, and note whether you “approve” or “do not approve” each final resolution.
Contact J. Mori Johnson by calling (312) 464-5678 or by sending an e-mail if you have questions.
3) Register to attend the AMA-IMG Section Assembly meeting in Chicago
Mark your calendars for the AMA-IMG Section Assembly meeting, which will take place June 12–15 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Scheduled events include:
Submit your registration form before May 22 by e-mail or fax it to (312) 464-5845.
Visit the Web site for the assembly meeting’s full schedule and to register to attend.
Contact J. Mori Johnson at (312) 464-5678 or by e-mail if you have questions or if you wish to give an organizational report during the AMA-IMG Section Congress.
Brought to you by the AMA Section on Medical Schools
1) AMA-SMS annual assembly meeting fast approaching
The next AMA-SMS meeting will be held June 12–14 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. This meeting will provide medical education colleagues an opportunity to network, help develop AMA policy and discuss issues affecting medical education.
On June 12, the AMA-SMS will hold a joint educational session with the AMA Medical Student Section on mentoring medical students. The section will also hold a joint educational program with the Council on Medical Education on resident duty-hour limits. On June 13, the AMA-SMS will present a panel on interprofessional collaboration in health care and the implications for medical schools and graduate medical education.
Meeting registration and hotel reservation information were mailed to all section representatives last month. If you have not received these materials, send an e-mail or call the AMA-SMS office at (312) 464-4655.
2) AMA GME e-Letter: mismatch?
Last month nearly 30,000 applicants to the National Resident Matching Program learned where they will obtain their residency training. This year’s Match was the largest in history—and one of the most competitive—bolstering the AMA’s belief that the nation needs to increase graduate medical education (GME) positions by removing a cap on them.
Visit the Web site for more about this topic and others in the April issue of the AMA GME e-Letter.
3) Tell your students about the AMA’s ethics essay contest
This year’s John Conley Foundation for Ethics and Philosophy in Medicine ethics essay competition examines the topic of physicians’ conscientious objection to discussing or providing treatment options to patients that are legal but objectionable to the physician’s religious beliefs. The essay competition is offered by Virtual Mentor, the AMA’s online ethics journal.
The author of the best essay will be awarded $5,000, and the winning essay will be published in Virtual Mentor. Up to three honorable mention awards of $1,000 each will be made. All medical students are eligible, so please forward this information to your students.
4) Stay up to date on health system reform news
A new weekly electronic newsletter is updating physicians and medical students about the AMA’s efforts to work with lawmakers in reforming the nation’s health care system in a way that provides quality, affordable health care for all. The Health System Reform Bulletin summarizes the AMA’s work on this essential topic in the public and private sector, including meetings with the White House and Congress, public initiatives and key dates.
View past issues of the AMA’s Health System Reform Bulletin.
Visit the Web site to register to receive it.
1) Seven Summits climber to speak during AMA-MSS Assembly meeting
Geoff Tabin, MD, the fourth person to climb the Seven Summits—the highest points of each of the world’s seven continents—will be the keynote speaker at the AMA-MSS annual assembly meeting, to be held June 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Dr. Tabin is professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Utah and the John A. Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City and co-director of the Himalayan Cataract Project, an organization that strives to eradicate preventable and curable blindness in the Himalayas.
Stay tuned for more information on assembly meeting educational sessions, featured speakers and the section’s National Service Project, “Covering the Uninsured and Protecting Access to Care.”
2) Final AMA-MSS resolutions with check list due May 1
Final versions of AMA-MSS resolutions, including a resolution check list, are due May 1.
Send an e-mail with final resolutions.
Draft resolutions on the AMA-MSS Health Policy and News listserv are now posted to the AMA-MSS Discussion Forum Web site. All AMA-MSS members are encouraged to review the resolutions and post comments to help authors improve their resolutions.
Visit the Web site to review the resolutions and post comments.
If you’ve yet to register for the discussion forum, visit the AMA-MSS Web site to do so.
3) Apply for a position on the AMA-MSS Governing Council
Are you interested in a national leadership position (PDF) with the AMA-MSS? The section is accepting applications for the following positions on its governing council: vice chair, delegate, alternate delegate, at-large officer, speaker and vice speaker. The AMA-MSS Governing Council acts as the “board” for the section in that its members direct the programs and activities of the AMA-MSS on a national level. The deadline to apply is May 15.
Download an application form (Word).
4) USMLE Step 1 score reporting to be delayed
Results of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 tests scheduled to be taken from mid-May through late June are expected to be available by July 15.
A new version of the software used to deliver the computer-based USMLE Step exams was introduced last August. The Step 1 exam is scheduled to be migrated to the new software around May 15 at a small number of test centers and then will be phased in at remaining test centers over several weeks.
5) Apply for AMA-MSS Chapter of the Year Award
Applications for the fifth annual AMA-MSS Chapter of the Year Award are due April 30. Chapters will be selected based on their efforts in several areas, including advocacy, community service and membership development, and the winning chapter will receive a $500 grant for its activities. The AMA-MSS will present the award at its annual assembly meeting, to be held June 11-13 in Chicago.
Visit the Web site to read about past winners and to apply.
6) Chapter of the Week: University of Maryland holds “How to Survive Step 1” panel discussion
Last month the AMA-MSS chapter of the University of Maryland hosted a panel discussion during which third-year medical students spoke to first- and second-year students about how to manage life and studying for Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination. What is your chapter doing to help fellow medical students get through medical school?
This project was made possible by a chapter involvement grant (CIG), which are available to AMA-MSS chapters to help put student projects and recruitment events into action. Chapters are eligible for $1,000 per academic year with a maximum of $250 to $500 per event.
Visit the Web site to apply for a CIG.
Contact the AMA-MSS by e-mail to see how much funding your chapter has left for this academic school year ending June 30.
7) Discounts on the AMA’s USMLE, COMLEX preparation guides: just one benefit of being an AMA member
Are you prepared for Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)? Or, if you are planning on taking the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX), are you ready to walk away with a superior score?
As an AMA member, you have an opportunity to fulfill all of your test preparation needs without draining your wallet. Enjoy discounts of up to 25 percent off the list price on medical student-specific resources such as First Aid for the USMLE and First Aid for the COMLEX.
Visit the AMA Bookstore to take advantage of these discounts.
Renew your AMA membership or join the AMA and have access to valuable resources such as this.
8) AMA hosts specialty “speed dating” for medical students
More than 75 medical students visited AMA headquarters in Chicago recently for a special event aimed at helping students choose a specialty. Attendees of the AMA’s inaugural Specialty Speed Dating event, held March 31, paired students from eight medical schools with residents and physicians from various Chicago-area hospitals and residency programs for nine 15-minute speed dating rounds. The event featured such specialties as dermatology, radiation oncology, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, surgery, family medicine, anesthesiology and emergency medicine.
Get another chance to learn about specialties by attending the AMA-MSS’s annual Medical Specialty Showcase, where physicians from specialty societies including radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedics and emergency medicine will provide comprehensive information about their specialties. The showcase will take place June 13 during the AMA-MSS annual assembly meeting in Chicago.
View a brief video of the March 31 event.
Brought to you by the AMA Minority Affairs Consortium
1) Learn more about political involvement and leadership
Video of a presentation about political campaigns during a recent leadership seminar for Hispanic physicians is available online. The presentation provides valuable tips that can help you run a successful advocacy or political campaign.
The seminar, which provided Hispanic physicians with strategies and practical information for effective political involvement and leadership, took place in October as part of the Hispanic Physician Outreach Initiative (HPOI). Developed by the AMA-MAC, the HPOI aims to increase the participation and leadership of Hispanic physicians in the AMA, strengthen advocacy efforts on Hispanic health care issues, and identify and address the professional needs of the AMA’s Hispanic physician members.
View the video:
2) It’s Minority Health Month
Throughout this month the federal Office of Minority Health is offering an array of awareness promotions focused on the importance of preconception health and preconception care for healthy pregnancies and the prevention of infant mortality.
1) AMA-OMSS Assembly meeting fast approaching
Registration is ongoing for the 53rd annual AMA-OMSS Assembly meeting, which will be held June 11–13 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The deadline to register for the meeting is June 5.
Send resolutions by e-mail by May 1.
Send an e-mail if you would like to volunteer to serve on the AMA-OMSS’s reference committee, committee on late resolutions or tellers committee, or if you would like to serve as an advisor during the meeting.
Visit the Web site to register and make travel arrangements for the meeting.
Visit the Web site for more information about AMA-OMSS committees.
2) Interim Meeting webcasts added to archives
The AMA-OMSS has posted a pair of 90-minute educational webcasts to its Web pages: “Physicians as Targets and How to Avoid Being One” and “Organized Medical Staffs and Disruptive Behavior.” Both of these programs provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Accreditation statement
The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Designation statement
The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
3) AMA offers guidance in developing code of conduct
The new Joint Commission leadership standard covering code of conduct, LD.03.01.01, took effect Jan. 1, 2009. The standard’s Elements of Performance requires, among other things, that hospitals have a code of conduct that defines acceptable, inappropriate and disruptive behavior, and that leaders create and implement a process for managing disruptive and inappropriate behaviors.
In response to these actions, the AMA adopted policy that calls for medical staffs to develop and implement their own code of conduct in their medical staff bylaws. Under the policy, hospitals should also have a code of conduct applicable to members of the board, management and all employees.
To assist medical staffs with implementation of a code of conduct in accordance with AMA policy and consistent with the Joint Commission leadership standard, the AMA Office of the General Counsel, in conjunction with the AMA-OMSS, drafted a model code of conduct for insertion in medical staff bylaws.
In addition, AMA members can access the "Physicians' Guide to Medical Staff Organization Bylaws” (PDF), an excellent resource for medical staffs and their bylaws committees.
1) Apply for an AMA-RFS Assembly convention committee position
The AMA-RFS has several opportunities for residents and fellows interested in being active at the section’s annual assembly meeting, which will be held June 11–13 in Chicago. Apply for a position on the reference committee, credentials committee, rules committee, logistics committee or hospitality committee. Also, take note of important AMA-RFS assembly meeting deadlines:
Visit the Web site to learn more about the meeting and to register online.
2) Making room for research during residency
For physicians interested in research careers, many have found the four- to five-year gap between graduation and the next opportunity for additional research training to be a major disadvantage.
A recent article in the publication Science points out the features of research-residency programs, which offer research immersion in addition to clinical training. The structure of these programs varies, with some research-residency programs offering research immersion as early as the second year. Research residents are typically offered protected research time, which must be paid for with departmental funds or federal grants. Because of the cost, most programs offer only two to four research-residency slots per year.
3) In Virtual Mentor: ethics in clinical research
Research with human subjects has formed the bridge between basic science breakthroughs in the lab and advances in patient care. Today, a larger portion of federal research dollars than ever before is dedicated to clinical and translational research.
This month’s issue of Virtual Mentor, the AMA’s online ethics journal, explores the challenges of protecting human-research subjects and assuring the scientific integrity of research outcomes.
4) Tutorial covers tax subsidies for health insurance
As federal policymakers continue to study potential ways of financing health system reform efforts, the merits of current tax subsidies for health insurance continue to be a focus of discussion. The AMA supports eliminating or capping the employee income tax exclusion for employer-sponsored insurance as one possible means of funding tax credits, vouchers or other subsidies that could be used to expand health insurance coverage.
The Kaiser Family Foundation recently prepared a narrated tutorial that explains how tax subsidies for health insurance work and discusses the arguments for and against them.
5) “Succeeding from Medical School to Practice”: just one benefit of being an AMA member
Do you want to start your own practice? Where do you begin? Get advice from the AMA-members-only resource “Succeeding from Medical School to Practice” (PDF).
The third part of this guide provides the details you need to help you start a practice, such as how to write a business plan, raise capital, hire and retain quality staff and market your practice. Developed by your AMA physician colleagues, this comprehensive, easy-to-navigate resource includes a wealth of valuable information plus streaming video to help you confront the nonclinical demands of training and today’s practice environment.
1) Discounted long-term care insurance rates extended to physicians’ families
The AMA Insurance Agency has arranged to have special physician discounts available through its long-term care insurance program extended to physicians’ families. Physician spouses, parents, mothers- and fathers-in-law, and adult children are now eligible for these special discounted rates.
The agency’s long-term care insurance program is available through Long Term Care Resources (LTCR). The program offers a portfolio of comprehensive plans from several highly rated insurance carriers. Through this relationship, physicians have a national network of long-term care specialists available to explain the costs and benefits of this coverage. The program has leveraged the buying power of physicians to obtain these special discounted rates.
To request a complimentary long-term care planning kit titled “Risk Management & Long Term Care - Understanding Your Options”, or to find a local LTCR representative in your area, contact Mike Hegwood, assistant vice president with AMA Insurance Agency, by e-mail or call (312) 464-5247.
LTCR has completed a comprehensive due diligence and screening process and is an approved member of AMA Insurance Agency’s Trusted Source NetworkSM.
Brought to you by the AMA Women Physicians Congress
1) Cast your vote in the AMA-WPC online election
Elections for the AMA-WPC Governing Council are taking place through April 27. All female AMA members who are also members of the AMA-WPC are eligible to vote and should have received an e-mail inviting them to do so.
AMA-WPC activities are guided by the congress’ eight-member governing council, which focuses on increasing the involvement of women physicians and medical students. The AMA-WPC advocates women’s voice in the medical profession as well as women’s health.
If you have not received an e-mail with information about the elections, visit the Web site and learn how to cast your vote online.
Send an e-mail to Michael Kutnick if you have questions.
2) Giambalvo scholarship award winner announced
Nicole Borges is the winner of this year’s Joan F. Giambalvo Memorial Scholarship. Borges, of Dayton, Ohio, plans to survey women physicians in academic medicine to gain perspective on why they chose their academic path.
The goal of the Joan F. Giambalvo Memorial Scholarship is to advance the progress of women in the medical profession and strengthen the ability of the AMA to identify and address the needs of women physicians and medical students.
1) AMA-YPS Assembly meeting fast approaching
Young physicians, mark your calendars: This year’s AMA-YPS Assembly meeting will be held June 11–13 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Visit the Web site to register for the meeting.
View a draft agenda (PDF).
E-mail Jane Ascroft by May 1 to submit resolutions and to volunteer for reference, AMA House of Delegates handbook review and credentials committees.
2) Apply for AMA-YPS community service awards
The AMA-YPS invites nomination forms for its annual community service awards. Through these awards, the section strives to not only recognize excellence in community service activities carried out by young physicians but to encourage similar efforts by other doctors. Nominations are due May 1.
Nominees must be AMA members. Recipients will be selected by the AMA-YPS Governing Council and honored for their work during the AMA-YPS Assembly meeting June 12.
Visit the Web site for more information, to download a nomination form or submit a nomination electronically.
3) Register for child care at the Annual Meeting
Physicians with children attending the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates are encouraged to register for Camp AMA. Child care is available for children ages 6 months to 12 years old and will include arts and crafts, games and activities from June 12–16 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Camp AMA is provided by Accent on Children’s Arrangements Inc. and will be made available if a minimum number of children are registered by May 5.
Visit the Web site for more information and to register for Camp AMA.
4) Apply for AMA-YPS Governing Council positions
Candidates interested in a position on the AMA-YPS Governing Council are encouraged to submit nominations by June 1. Open positions include chair-elect, who serves a three-year term as chair-elect, chair and immediate past chair; speaker, who serves a two-year term; alternate delegate, who serves a two-year term; and member at-large, who serves a two-year term.
All terms begin at the close of the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. After June 1, nominations will only be accepted from the floor at the June 12 AMA-YPS Assembly meeting. Candidates whose nomination forms are received before June 1 will be posted on the AMA-YPS Web site.
Download a nomination form (Word).
Learn more about AMA-YPS Governing Council positions and duties.
5) AMA-OMSS Interim Meeting webcasts added to archives
The AMA Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) is offering two 90-minute educational webcasts, “Physicians as Targets and How to Avoid Being One” and “Organized Medical Staffs and Disruptive Behavior,” on its Web pages. Both programs provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Accreditation statement
The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Designation statement
The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Copyright 1995-2009 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.