Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates on June 9, 2026.
Officers and five councils are elected by the American Medical Association House of Delegates (HOD) at the Annual Meeting. Elections for contested contests are held during a special election session under the supervision of the Committee on Rules and Credentials and the chief teller, who are appointed by the speakers. Voting is conducted by secret ballot.
Abhi Dharan, MD
Candidate for Council on Science & Public Health, Resident Physician
Term: 2026-2028
Welcome
The California Medical Association (CMA) and the AMA Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) are proud to endorse Abhishek Dharan, MD, for the resident seat on the AMA Council on Science and Public Health (CSAPH). Dr. Dharan is a resident in general preventive medicine and public health at Loma Linda University Health and is completing an MPH at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. His residency includes applied public health training through two county departments of public health, as well as clinical and systems-based experience in Federally Qualified Health Centers, Medicaid-focused settings, and across varied health systems. As a medical student in El Paso, Texas, he gained early exposure to border health and the public health realities facing migrant and underserved communities. Across these roles, he brings the perspective of a trainee embedded in public health practice, integrating real-time insights from clinics and health departments into national discussions at the AMA.
Dr. Dharan brings board-level experience, having served as the medical student member of the Texas Medical Association Board of Trustees and currently serving on the ACGME Board of Directors as the AMA RFS resident director. Within organized medicine, he has served at the local, state, and national levels, as well as across specialty societies. In California, he serves as chair of the CMA Resident and Fellow Section. He represents the American Association of Public Health Physicians (AAPHP) on the AMA RVS Update Committee (RUC), advancing fair recognition of public health work within RVU-based payment models. At the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), he serves on the membership committee and spearheaded internal efforts, including the creation of trainee sections within ACPM. These roles reflect a sustained commitment to organized medicine, effective governance, and practical policy implementation.
Personal statement: “I am grateful for the CMA and RFS endorsement and would be honored to serve on CSAPH. I will bring the perspective of a trainee embedded in public health practice, committed to rigorous science, practical implementation, and clear communication that strengthens trust in our profession and improves health for all communities.”
Photos with colleagues at various events
Core issues
- Strengthening AMA leadership in evidence-based science messaging for the public, including vaccines, in coordination with professional societies and AMA membership.
- Advancing access to trusted physician voices for communities nationwide to improve health and counter misinformation.
- Elevating the AMA’s leadership in science and public health by supporting CSAPH’s role as a source of expertise and guidance for the House of Delegates.
Connect with me!
I welcome feedback from members across the House of Medicine. For quick things, feel free to just send me a text, but connect however works best for you!
Email: [email protected]
Cell: (480)-406-0405
Additional resources
- Visit the AMA elections page for information on other candidates running for office.
- Find up to date information for the June Annual Meeting of the HOD.
