Resident & Fellow Section (RFS) leadership opportunities

Take on a leadership role in the RFS and make an impact on issues facing residents and fellows, patients and the medical profession. Information on applying for an open position with RFS will be posted as it becomes available. 

The RFS has six open positions for the governing council. GC members are responsible for directing the programs and activities of the section. Terms are one year, June 2026-June 2027. 

RFS Governing Council

Vice chair

The vice chair will coordinate internal operations of the RFS standing committees (including the application process) and communication with resident/fellow councilors; preside at meetings of the governing council in the absence of the chair or at the discretion of the chair; assist the chair in the execution of their duties; and assist the GC with development and implementation of the RFS Strategic Plan. 

Optional, but encouraged, roles: coordinate RFS section meeting standing committee programming, organize webinars throughout the year and maintain the RFS resolution collaboration spreadsheet.

Time commitment: In addition to the required meetings, the vice chair will be expected to dedicate two hours per month, on average, for conference calls and other meetings as required.

Speaker

The speaker will create the agenda for the Annual and Interim business meetings with input from the governing council and RFS staff; preside over the business meetings in an impartial manner and organize and conduct them in accordance with the current parliamentary procedure authority as chosen by the House of Delegates; ensure the RFS business meeting functions outlined in the RFS internal operating procedures; and provide for oversight and enforcement of the campaign rules as outlined in the RFS internal operating procedures.

Time commitment: In addition to the required meetings, the speaker will be expected to dedicate two hours per month, on average, for conference calls and other meetings as required. Additional conference calls will be required leading up to the Annual and Interim Meeting increasing the time commitment to 1-2 hours per week.

Vice speaker

The vice speaker will preside at business meetings during the absence of or at the request of the speaker; and assist the speaker in the performance of their duties. 

Time commitment: In addition to the required meetings, the vice speaker will be expected to dedicate two hours per month, on average, for conference calls and other meetings as required. Additional conference calls will be required leading up to the Annual and Interim Meeting increasing the time commitment to 1-2 hours per week.

Delegate

The delegate will represent the RFS in the AMA House of Delegates; coordinate activities of the RFS caucus in the House of Delegates; manage the resolutions passed during the RFS business meeting and forwarded to the House of Delegates; draft a report for the Assembly consisting of all actions taken by the RFS caucus, including the outcomes of any internal votes; educate and provide guidance to RFS members about the policy-making processes of the section and of the HOD; and update RFS members on HOD business and activities relevant to the section and its members. 

Time commitment: Besides the required meetings, the delegate must attend the full Annual Meeting (June 5-10, 2026) and Interim Meeting (Nov. 6-10, 2026). On average, the delegate will be expected to dedicate 2-4 hours per month for conference calls and other meetings as required. The time commitment increases to approximately 2-5 hours per week in the two months before each HOD meeting.

Alternate delegate

The alternate delegate will assist the delegate in the execution of their duties and rise to the position of delegate should the position become vacant before the end of the position’s term.

Time commitment: In addition to the required meetings, the alternate delegate must attend the full Annual Meeting (June 5-10, 2026) and Interim Meeting (Nov. 6-10, 2026). The alternate delegate will be expected to dedicate two hours per month, on average, for conference calls and other meetings as required. Additional conference calls will be required leading up to the Annual and Interim Meeting increasing the time commitment to 2-5 hours per week.

Member at-large

The member at-large will coordinate the membership retention activities of the RFS; communicate involvement opportunities when appropriate, AMA member benefits, and other opportunities to current or potential resident and fellow members; and foster the development of RFS membership in states where none exist and encourage increased involvement in the AMA. 

The member at-large will represent the collective body of the RFS and bring up member issues to the governing council when appropriate. The member at-large will continue to encourage the recruitment of a diverse RFS body and act as a mediator between the governing council and the RFS body when appropriate.

Time commitment: In addition to the required meetings, the member at-large will be expected to dedicate two hours per month, on average, for conference calls and other meetings as required.

Elected governing council members will be expected to attend: 

• 2026 Annual Meeting—June 4-5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois
• Section leadership retreat—Aug. 7-9, 2026; Chicago, Illinois
• 2026 Interim Meeting—Nov. 5-6, 2026; Orlando, Florida

Members will be expected to dedicate two hours per month, on average, for conference calls and other meetings.

Submit the application. The deadline for applications is April 25, 2026. : 

Council on Ethical & Judicial Affairs— Resident member

The Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (CEJA) has two primary responsibilities. Through its policy development function, it maintains and updates the AMA Code of Medical Ethics. In its judicial function, it promotes adherence to the code’s professional ethical standards. Nominated members are considered by the Board of Trustees, nominated by the AMA president-elect and confirmed by the AMA House of Delegates to serve a two-year term beginning in June of 2026. 

Submit the application. The deadline for applications is Feb. 20, 2026. 

Council on Legislation—Resident member

The Council on Legislation (COL) reviews proposed federal legislation and recommends appropriate action in accordance with AMA policy. It recommends changes in existing AMA policy when necessary to accomplish effective legislative goals and also develops and recommends models for state legislation to the Board of Trustees. COL also serves as a reference council through which all legislative issues of the AMA are channeled prior to final consideration by the Board of Trustees. 

The term is one year beginning in June 2026.

Submit the application. The deadline for applications is Feb. 20, 2026. 

Council on Long Range Planning & Development—Resident member

The Council on Long Range Planning & Development (CLRPD) studies long-term strategic issues related to the AMA’s vision, goals and priorities and advises the Board of Trustees on strategies to reach the AMA's long-range objectives. 

It identifies and evaluates ways to enhance the AMA's policy development process and evaluates and makes recommendations to the House of Delegates on the formation or change of any AMA member group or section. Nominations will be considered by the AMA Board of Trustees at their April 2026 meeting. The term is two years, beginning June 2026. 

Submit the application. The deadline for applications is Feb. 20, 2026. 

AMA Foundation Board of Directors—Resident and Fellow Section representative

The AMA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Medical Association, working to build strong, healthier communities by supporting, celebrating and investing in physicians.

The AMA Foundation is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors, composed of physician leaders, community champions, and health care advocates who share a deep commitment to improving the nation's health. The term is one year, beginning June 2026. 

Submit the application. The deadline for applications is Feb. 20, 2026.

ACGME Board of Directors—Resident seat 

The ACGME Board of Directors consists of individuals with a combination of backgrounds and skills necessary to provide board oversight of the operations of the ACGME. The work of the ACGME affects residents, residency programs and sponsoring institutions as well as the health care population of the United States. The ACGME seeks to populate its board with a resident member who has the necessary background and skills as well as the perspectives of those affected by the work of the ACGME.  

The ACGME Governance Committee is requesting nominees with IT/AI, legal, business, finance and/or public policy experience. Geographically, they are ideally seeking individuals from the western U.S. (outside California), north central and central areas of the U.S., with a particular interest in individuals with experience in rural settings. By specialty, hospital-based physicians and surgeons are particularly needed. The resident board member will serve a two-year term. 

Submit the application.

The ACGME requests a five-word biography in addition to the required application. Applications are due Feb. 23, 2026. 

IMGS Governing Council—Resident seat

Members of the International Medical Graduates (IMGS) Governing Council are responsible for leading the IMG section advocating for issues that impact international medical graduates. The term is two years beginning June 2026. 

Submit the application. Applications are due Feb. 28, 2026.

WPS Governing Council—Resident seat

Members of the Women Physicians Section (WPS) Governing Council are responsible for directing the programs and activities of the section and give voice to and advocate for issues that impact women physicians, residents/fellows and medical students. The term is two years beginning June 2026. 

Submit the application. Applications are due Mar. 15, 2026. 

Surgical Caucus Executive Committee— Resident member

The Surgical Caucus of the AMA exists to provide a forum at each session of the House of Delegates for discussion and recommendations concerning professional and socioeconomic issues of particular interest to surgeons. The resident/fellow term is one year, beginning June 2026.

Submit the application. Applications are due Feb. 20, 2026.