2011 AMA Annual Meeting
More than 500 physician delegates gathered in Chicago to steer a course for medicine's future.
2011 AMA Annual Meeting
Pediatric neurosurgeon Peter W. Carmel, MD, DMSc, was inaugurated as AMA president on June 21 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. In his inaugural speech, Dr. Carmel spoke of how he always wanted to be a doctor like his father. He urged physicians to remember that practicing medicine is a privilege that comes with a special responsibility. He told them to push for ending health care disparities and increasing access to care. He noted that there is still unrest over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, but said, "Remind your colleagues that health system reform is still evolving. And today, every one of us has the opportunity to shape its course. … Now, Congress must address the issues that threaten physicians." Photo by Ted Grudzinski / AMA
2011 AMA Annual Meeting
Incoming AMA Executive Vice President and CEO James L. Madara, MD, addressed delegates on June 21 and spoke about his enthusiasm for becoming the Association’s top executive starting on July 1. He said he would work hard to make more physicians aware of the important work that is done in the House of Delegates and throughout the AMA. Dr. Madara will replace Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA, who is stepping down on June 30 after almost 10 years.
Photo by Peter Wynn Thompson / www.peterthompsonphoto.com
2011 AMA Annual Meeting
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's mandate that Americans be required to purchase health insurance beginning in 2014 drew heated debate in June 19 reference committee testimony, with numerous physician delegates on both sides of the issue testifying. One supporter of the health system reform law's requirement was Illinois State Medical Society delegate William E. Kobler, MD, a family physician from Rockford (top). Opposing the mandate was Medical Assn. of Georgia alternate delegate John S. Antalis, MD, a family physician from Dalton. Photo by Peter Wynn Thompson / www.peterthompsonphoto.com
2011 AMA Annual Meeting
AMA Executive Vice President and CEO Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA, gave his final address to delegates during the opening session of the AMA Annual Meeting on June 18. He is stepping down after holding the position since 2001. James L. Madara, MD, will become the AMA's top executive starting on July 1. In his speech, Dr. Maves discussed strides the AMA has made in connecting with the nation's physicians. "Thank you for being physicians who care deeply about your profession," he told delegates. Photo by Ted Grudzinski / AMA
2011 AMA Annual Meeting
Speaking to delegates at the opening session on June 18, outgoing AMA President Cecil B. Wilson, MD, urged doctors to "move forward" and bring about changes to the health care system. He said Congress should repeal Medicare's sustainable growth rate formula and replace it with a mechanism that pays for costs of care and enhances quality and care coordination. He called on doctors not to be content with the current health care system. "Good medicine demands we move forward," he told delegates. Photo by Ted Grudzinski / AMA
2011 AMA Annual Meeting
More than 500 delegates are gathering in Chicago through June 21 at the AMA's annual policymaking meeting, where topics will include health system reform and physician payment. Delegates also will discuss more than 200 other proposals, which include supporting taxes on soft drinks to prevent obesity, adopting ethical recommendations for writers of medical practice guidelines, promoting national legislation banning "bath salts" and discouraging marketing incentives that encourage consumption of unhealthy food by children. Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD, a Colorado psychiatrist and speaker of the AMA House of Delegates, was named AMA president-elect during the opening session on June 18. Photo by Ted Grudzinski / AMA
2011 AMA Annual Meeting
Students from the AMA Medical Student Section spent part of June 17 in Chicago at Benton House, which provides social services to the needy. They spoke with families about the AMA's Healthier Life Steps Program, which focuses on counteracting four key unhealthy behaviors: poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and excessive or risky use of alcohol. As part of the health screening activities, Texas A&M Health Sciences Center College of Medicine student Mary McFarland conducted eye tests for local residents. Photo by Ted Grudzinski / AMA
2011 AMA Annual Meeting
For their community service project, students from the AMA Medical Student Section volunteered June 17 at Benton House in Chicago. Part of their efforts included working in Benton House's community garden and making plant identification spikes. Left to right are Lyndsay Mueller, Rachel Holtzman and Ashley Turner, all students at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in East Lansing. Ashley Turner (inset) shows off her chives stake. Photo by Ted Grudzinski / AMA
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Posted June 18, 2011
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