News for Academic Physicians

Education sessions highlight latest AMA-SMS meeting

The AMA Section on Medical Schools (SMS) held its 36th Interim Assembly Meeting on Nov. 9–10, offering attendees opportunities to network, discuss issues affecting medical education and help develop AMA policy.

Two well-attended education sessions took place Nov. 9. One examined curricular innovations at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the public health challenges the school faces because of Hawaii's diverse cultures. Another explored how the graduate medical education community can address mistreatment of medical students, residents and fellows. This session was a follow-up to a 2011 AMA-convened invitational conference on medical student mistreatment.

The AMA-SMS finalized its 2012-2015 strategic plan during its Nov. 10 business meeting. Attendees also discussed and voted on AMA-SMS recommendations for medical education-related reports and resolutions to come before the AMA House of Delegates.

Also that day, attendees participated in a panel presentation on the AMA's new strategic focus area of accelerating change in medical education. AMA-SMS Governing Council Chair Maria Savoia, MD, provided the academic physician perspective on improving the medical education system.

The AMA-SMS also hosted its Academic Medicine Caucus for AMA delegates and alternate delegates with an academic appointment. Participants discussed issues of mutual concern as well as the AMA's work to accelerate change in undergraduate medical education.

Excellence in Medicine nominations due Friday

Nominate your colleagues who go beyond the call of duty to improve public health, provide care for people in need and serve as community leaders for this year's Excellence in Medicine Awards.

Presented by the AMA Foundation in association with Pfizer Inc., the annual awards acknowledge the everyday heroes who embody the highest values of the medical profession: altruism, public service and dedication to patient care.

Nominations are due Friday. There are four categories:

• Pride in the Profession Award—for physicians aiding underserved patients in the U.S.
• Dr. Nathan Davis International Award—for physicians aiding an international population
• Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award—for senior physicians improving access to care in the U.S.
• Leadership Awards—for medical students, residents, fellows and early career physicians who demonstrate outstanding nonclinical leadership skills

The Excellence in Medicine Awards will be presented at a banquet on Feb. 11 in Washington, D.C. Award recipients will receive travel expenses to attend the ceremony, and $2,500 grants will be provided to the awarded physicians' organizations.