The Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) held its 2026 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting was attended by more than 60 physicians and invited guests. Attendees were pleased to see the ongoing support for the section and robust engagement.
Elections were held for the OMSS Governing Council positions for 2026-2028 and the results are as follows:
- Chair: John Flores, MD
- Vice Chair: Nancy Mueller, MD
- Delegate: Nancy Fan, MD
- Alternate delegate: Vivek Rao, MD
- Secretary: Shane Hopkins, MD
- Member at-large: Nita Shumaker, MD
- Member at-large: John Luster, MD
- Immediate past chair: Nancy Church, MD
OMSS held its Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5 in conjunction with the AMA Annual Meeting. The meeting brought together more than 70 organized medical staff physicians and speakers for section programming, leadership discussions and business activities held as part of the broader meeting.
In addition, the Employed Physician Caucus met on Saturday morning. The group was well attended with approximately 10 members who discussed their strategy for going forward. If you are interested in real-time caucus updates or join the next virtual meeting, please email [email protected].
All attendees heard several educational presentations, conducted policy business and engaged in future section planning. This included presentations from the AMAPAC regarding different political and policy activities the AMA is currently engaged in to benefit physicians. The assembly also heard an update from Board Liaisons Sandra Fryhofer, MD, Ilse Levin, DO, and Willie Underwood, MD, on key AMA Board of Trustee initiatives.
OMSS education sessions
On Thursday, June 4, OMSS hosted “Medical Staff Bylaws Unlocked: New Joint Commission Changes and Other Key Updates for Physicians in Hospitals.” The event featured Libby Snelson, a leading legal authority on medical staff bylaws. She provided an in-depth review of recent changes to Joint Commission standards and essential bylaw components that safeguard physician autonomy, whether as hospital employees, group contractors or independent medical staff members. Attendees received up-to-date insights into the latest developments affecting the impact on physicians at every stage of their careers.
On Friday, June 5, the assembly hosted two educational sessions. Beginning with “Innovative Technologies Transforming Health Systems,” physicians from Integrated Physician Practice Section (IPPS) and OMSS delivered concise presentations highlighting their real-world experiences with implementing emerging technologies in both clinical and administrative settings. The panel discussed cutting-edge clinical and nonclinical solutions currently in use within their organizations, evaluating the benefits, challenges and key lessons learned from these physician-driven initiatives for both patient care and operational efficiency. The session drew a packed audience of more than 120 attendees.
The final educational session, “Sustaining the Physician Workforce: Pathways to Re-Entry, Retention, and Well-Being,” explored the critical factors behind physician distress and absences from practice, including professional, regulatory and personal influences affecting return-to-work decisions. The session examined the barriers and support at individual, organizational and policy levels that shape successful re-entry and long-term career sustainability. Attendees learned evidence-informed wellness and reintegration strategies designed to enhance physician retention and strengthen pathways for returning to practice within healthcare systems and organized medicine.
OMSS resolutions
The OMSS Assembly considered seven resolutions in advance of the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates (HOD).
One resolution was referred to the OMSS Governing Council for a report back:
- Resolution 4: Medical Bylaws Update Needs to be a Mandated Joint Commission Standard
Two resolutions were adopted but will be held back until the 2026 Interim Meeting:
- Resolution 1: Federal Legislation to Prohibit Social Media Use by Minors Under Age 16
- Resolution 3: Ensuring Accuracy and Physician Protections for Patient Attribution in Health Plan Quality Measurement and Value-Based Programs
Four resolutions were immediately advanced to the HOD for consideration at the 2026 Annual Meeting:
- Resolution 2: Supporting Regulations for More Stringent Safety Measures for Micromobility
- Resolution 5: Medical Staff Oversight of Hospital Augmented Intelligence
- Resolution 6: Protecting Children from Potential Harms of Caffeinated Products
- Resolution 7: Survey of Medical Staffs
In addition, the OMSS advanced two resolutions to the HOD that were previously considered at the 2025 Interim Meeting:
- Resolution 401: Partnership with the Administration to Reduce Harmful Chemicals in Food and Align with European Safety Standards
- Resolution 611: Publicizing, Supporting, and Promoting (Appropriate) AMA Member Physicians and Physician Spouses as Candidates for Local and State Offices
For additional information on the 2026 OMSS Annual meeting, visit the section's agenda and resources page.
