The AMA Government Relations Advocacy Fellow (GRAF) is a full-time paid member of the AMA's federal advocacy team and serves for one year. The position, based in Washington, D.C., requires that the student take a one year leave from medical school. The fellow reports to the AMA's Director of the Division of Legislative Counsel and the Director of the Medical Student Section (MSS).
Read a letter from the MSS Governing Council (PDF) on how the fellowship is not only a unique opportunity for a medical student to become involved in the AMA’s advocacy work, but also an important interface between the organization and medical students.
GRAF responsibilities
A key goal of the fellowship is to educate medical student, resident, and young physician AMA members about issues in public health and health policy.
The fellow encourages AMA members to incorporate activism and leadership in their subsequent training and practice at local, state and national levels. Examples of duties and assignments for the fellow include:
- Research and analyze current issues in health and medical education policy.
- Travel to medical schools around the U.S. to engage membership, recruit members and develop leaders.
- Attend briefings and networking events both alone and alongside AMA staff to represent the organization.
- Plan and organize the annual Medical Student Advocacy and Region Conference (MAC) in Washington, D.C.
- Work closely with other MSS committees on national campaigns, such as National Advocacy Week.
- Meet and work with leaders in health care policy and advocacy to implement the AMA's action plan on key issues.
- Speak to medical students and resident physicians to inform them about public health and policy issues.
- Help the MSS develop and communicate its policy agenda.
- Provide regular legislative updates to MSS leadership and the MSS assembly.
- Develop talking points, letters, educational presentations and other advocacy documents.
