For Medical Students

View AMA webcast Thursday on changing future of med ed

You're invited to learn how the future of medical education is about to change. Join AMA CEO James L. Madara, MD, for the announcement via simulcast of an exciting new initiative to alter the course of medical education.

It's your future, and the AMA wants medical students like you to be among the first to hear about the changes and opportunities ahead. Plan to join us for this live webcast at 7 p.m. Eastern time Thursday. The webcast link will be available on the AMA website Thursday.

Visit the AMA's "Accelerating change in medical education" Web page to learn more.

Also, share via social media your ideas on topics such as moving from time-based to competency-based education. Tweet or post on the AMA Medical Student Section Facebook page. Learn how.

AMPAC education program helps you influence politics

Become a winning political strategist to help elect medicine-friendly candidates by participating in a hands-on political education program offered by the AMA Political Action Committee (AMPAC).

Recognized as one of the top programs in the country, the AMPAC Campaign School, held April 17–21, gives participants the training they need to become involved in the political process as advocates or volunteers. Organized around a simulated congressional campaign, the program allows participants to work on campaign "staff" teams and attend daily lectures on campaign strategy, media advertising and political fundraising.

Applications and essays for the Campaign School are due Jan. 18.

The program will take place in Arlington, Va. All expenses, excluding travel, will be covered for accepted applicants. Apply today.

If you're not an AMA member, join today and take advantage of opportunities such as this.

Mark your calendar for AMA-MSS region meetings

If you're looking for a way to get more involved in organized medicine, attending an AMA Medical Student Section (MSS) annual regional meeting is a great way to start.

The AMA-MSS comprises seven geographic regions, and each meets once a year for an educational and social program designed to promote regional cohesiveness, increase the visibility of the section and promote individual members as leaders at the local, state, regional and national levels.

Region meetings for 2013 will be held on the following dates:

• Region 4: Jan. 25-27 in Columbia, S.C.
• Region 5: Feb. 1-2 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Region 6: Feb. 8-10 in Washington, D.C.
• Region 2: April 5-6 in Kansas City, Mo.
• Region 1: Planning in process
• Region 3: Planning in process
• Region 7: This meeting was held Jan. 11-12 in Syracuse, N.Y.

Visit the regions Web page to learn more about your region's meeting.

Apply for a seat on the AMA Council on Medical Service

If you have a passion for improving health care delivery, then apply for the medical student position on the AMA Council on Medical Service. Applications are due Jan. 31.

The Council on Medical Service focuses on socioeconomic factors that influence the practice of medicine.

"Topics that have been worked on recently include health insurance reform, models of physician payment, e-health, working with other members of the health care team and pharmaceutical coverage," said Sam Mackenzie, the current medical student representative from the State University of New York Update Medical University.

The student member on the council is highly valued, and his or her input is taken seriously. Sam was integral in ensuring that adequate financing of graduate medical education was included in an important report on Medicare reform.

Visit the AMA-MSS opportunities Web page to download an application, due Jan. 31. Other national AMA leadership opportunities available to medical students include:

• AMA councils, such as the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, the Council on Medical Education and the Council on Science and Public Health.
• AMA sections and special groups, such as the Women Physicians Congress, the Minority Affairs Consortium and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Committee.
• Other organizations, such as the AMA Foundation Board, the National Resident Matching Program and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

Contact Sam or other current student members of the various AMA councils and special groups for more information about the student seats.

Enjoy savings on Kaplan Qbank and High Yield courses

Are you starting to prepare for USMLE and COMLEX exams? Enhance your preparation with Kaplan's Qbank and High Yield courses.

AMA members save 30 percent on Kaplan's new High Yield on-demand lecture course, an integrated review featuring page references to first aid. Also save on Kaplan's Qbank with 2,200 questions that fully integrate with a free app for the iPhone and Android phones. Receive immediate access and study Until Your Test (up to 12 months). Call (800) KAP-TEST or visit the website to take advantage of these special offers today.

Don't miss out on valuable resources for AMA members. Renew your membership or join the AMA today to begin receiving these benefits.