Resident & Fellow Section (RFS) Standing Committees

Standing committees are appointed by the Resident & Fellow Section Governing Council (GC) and assist the GC in furthering the mission of the section. There are seven standing committees. The term for a standing committee member is one year.

This committee addresses financial and economic issues affecting physicians during their residency and fellowship, such as disability insurance, debt management, budgeting, negotiating employment contracts and choosing a practice. Committee members represent the resident and fellow voice in respect to the future of physician payment models, the practical implications of the Affordable Care Act on residents, fellows and newly graduated trainees and macroeconomic trends that may face health care in the future.

This committee assists in enhancing grassroots legislative efforts and educating the RFS on current political issues impacting medicine. A large focus of this group is to increase participation and involvement in the AMA National Advocacy Conference in February or March. In addition, this committee works with the Resident Representative to the AMA Political Action Committee (AMPAC) to engage members in AMPAC activities.

This committee works on issues regarding the structure and future of the Resident and Fellow Section. Committee members assist the governing council in writing reports, reviewing the Internal Operating Procedures (IOP) and maintaining the leadership handbook.

This committee works on medical education issues that relate to resident and fellow physicians and assists the governing council in developing policy positions, writing reports and educating resident and fellow members of the AMA about critical issues related to Graduate Medical Education.

This committee deals with issues affecting public health both domestically and internationally. Committee members assist the governing council in developing policy positions, writing reports and educating resident and fellow members about critical public health issues. The committee also helps residents develop grassroots programs to tackle public health issues in their local communities.

This committee works to address issues of medical quality, quality improvement and patient safety in addition to developing a better understanding of the government agencies and regulatory bodies that govern quality measures and their implementation and utilization, particularly as it affects physicians.

Examples include highlighting issues of importance to practicing physicians and physicians-in-training regarding accreditation, quality measures and provider evaluation, etc. This includes providing the RFS with written reports, collaborating with the RFS Governing Council to develop relationships with relevant quality organizations and encouraging awareness and education regarding medical quality, quality improvement and patient safety issues.

This committee supports the annual AMA Research Symposium held at the interim meeting in November. This includes reviewing abstract submissions, serving as a judge at the onsite event and supporting the logistical details of the event.