Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013
News for Academic Physicians
Is holistic approach to admissions the way to go?
With medical school admissions committees seeking to assess candidates more holistically, the December issue of Virtual Mentor, the AMA's online ethics journal, considers whether this approach helps lead to the selection of applicants who will make good doctors.
This more holistic process—with emphasis on qualitative aspects of character, such as empathy, emotional intelligence and values—is in contrast to the more traditional review of measurable qualities: academic achievement on a standardized level, volunteer and other clinical experience, and professional and educational leadership.
Virtual Mentor looks at the many ways in which medical school and residency program admissions policies are moving toward a more holistic process. It explores some pitfalls of these new systems as well as old problems that have not yet been corrected.
View an essay by the December issue's editor, Stephanie K. Fabbro, MD, about this edition.
AMA members: Fill key med ed volunteer positions
The AMA Council on Medical Education nominates representatives to key medical education organizations, Residency Review Committees of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and member Boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Fill out our online form now for the following vacancies; applications must be received by Feb. 15.
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine (two slots)
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Psychiatry
- Surgery
- Urology (two slots)
Please email Evelyn Sherrill with any questions.
The AMA is also soliciting nominations to fill vacancies on AMA councils for the 2013 year (including the Council on Medical Education). Learn more about the nominations process and how to apply.
The AMA is committed to promoting diversity in every facet of organized medicine, and encourages recommendation of qualified women physicians, minority physicians and international medical graduates for AMA positions on councils.
Are you next in line for leadership?
The AMA-SMS Governing Council (GC) has the following open positions for 2013-2014:
- At-large member (three total slots)
Three at-large members of the section serve on the GC. The members are elected annually, and no member can serve for more than three 1-year terms.
- Chair-elect (one slot)
The chair-elect serves for one year, succeeds to the office of chair for one year, and then becomes immediate past chair for one year.
The GC serves as the direct communication link between the AMA and the section representatives and has responsibility for the programs and activities of the section. The GC has nine members:
- Chair
- Chair-elect
- Immediate past chair
- Delegate
- Alternate delegate
- At-large members (three total)
- Liaison to the AMA Council on Medical Education
GC members are selected by the SMS Nominating Subcommittee and elected by the Section representatives attending the Annual Meeting in June. The elected members assume office at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting at which the election was held and serve until the conclusion of the next Annual Meeting. The GC meets, face-to-face, three times a year (AMA Annual Meeting in June, Association of American Medical Colleges Annual Meeting in November and AMA Interim Meeting in November) and holds monthly conference calls.
To apply or for more information, email Fred Donini-Lenhoff, AMA-SMS director, or call (312) 464-4635.
Mark your calendar now for June 2013 meeting of AMA Section on Medical Schools
Save the date! The AMA Section on Medical Schools (SMS) will meet June 14-15 in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. Watch the SMS website for more information as it becomes available.
