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.
- RFS Governing Council
The AMA Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) Governing Council is responsible for developing, administering and implementing RFS activities, programs, goals and objectives. The governing council consists of eight members, elected by the RFS Assembly. Members serve a one-year term, except for the chair-elect who will serve a two-year term.
Chair-elect
The chair-elect serves as a non-voting member for six months. Following the annual meeting in June 2027, the chair-elect will assume the role of chair for one year; and after the one-year term as chair, the member will serve as the immediate past chair for six months.
Chair primary responsibilities:
- Exercise authority as the primary officer.
- Represent the section both within the AMA and in relationships with external stakeholder organizations, or designate another governing council member to do so.
- Collaborate to develop and implement the strategic annual plan.
- Preside at all meetings of the governing council.
- Lead business meetings if the speaker and vice speaker positions are vacant.
Apply now. The deadline is Sept. 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central.
- RFS sectional delegates
Sectional delegates are voting members elected by the RFS Assembly to represent the interests of resident and fellow physicians in the House of Delegates. The delegates and alternate delegates are credentialed representatives who must be AMA members. They represent various constituencies, such as state and specialty medical societies. Each delegate and alternate delegate must receive written endorsement from a society or organization currently seated in the House of Delegates. All elected delegates and alternate delegates will serve a one-year term.
Sectional delegates/alternates primary responsibilities:
- Fully attend the 2027 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, June 11-16, and the 2027 Interim Meeting in Chula Vista, California, Nov. 12-16.
- Assist in the policy review process, which takes place in the month leading up to the meetings, by reviewing resolutions and attending virtual team meetings.
- Attend all RFS caucus meetings, both virtual and in-person, to assist our caucus in developing stances on resolutions.
- Attend and participate in state and specialty society review processes as a way strategize and advocate on behalf of RFS priorities.
Apply now. The deadline is Sept. 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central.
- RFS standing committees
The AMA Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) Standing Committees are appointed by the RFS Governing Council twice per year and help advance the section’s mission, strategic priorities, advocacy efforts and member engagement.
Standing committees are one of the best ways to get involved in the RFS, build leadership experience, contribute to policy and advocacy and connect with physician trainees across specialties and regions.
No prior AMA or committee experience is required. We invite all interested members to apply. The RFS strongly values diversity of training year, specialty, geographic location, practice environment and lived experience. We especially encourage applications from individuals from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities in medicine.
Why serve on a standing committee?
Committee service offers members the opportunity to:
- Contribute to national policy and advocacy efforts
- Build leadership skills in organized medicine
- Collaborate with residents and fellows across specialties
- Develop mentorship and professional networks
- Prepare for future leadership roles in the RFS, AMA, specialty societies and state medical societies
Standing committees are designed to be accessible to members at all levels of experience, from first-time attendees to long-standing leaders in organized medicine.
Time commitment
The time commitment is flexible and averages approximately one hour per month, with increased time requirements ahead of the AMA Annual and Interim Meetings. Committee members may have additional opportunities to participate in projects, policy work including report authoring, advocacy efforts, or programming based on their interests and availability.
How to apply
Applications for RFS standing committees are reviewed by the RFS Governing Council. Committee appointments are for a one-year term.
Apply now. The deadline for applications is Aug. 13, 2026.
Questions? Contact the RFS Governing Council at [email protected].
Current standing committees
Committee on Legislation and Advocacy (COLA)
The Committee on Legislation and Advocacy (COLA) focuses on legislative, regulatory and public policy issues affecting resident and fellow physicians, patients and the future of medicine.
Committee members assist the RFS Governing Council in writing reports for consideration by the RFS Assembly, educating members on current health policy issues, and expanding opportunities for resident and fellow physicians to participate in organized advocacy efforts. The committee will also integrate business and economics, and a public health lens through their work throughout the year. The committee works closely with the AMA Advocacy Resource Center (ARC) and other advocacy partners to strengthen grassroots engagement and amplify the voice of physicians-in-training.
Committee on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI)
The Committee on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) focuses on advancing equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging within medicine, graduate medical education and organized medicine.
Committee members assist the RFS Governing Council in writing reports for consideration by the RFS Assembly, and leading initiatives that address health inequities, physician workforce diversity, discrimination, accessibility, and barriers to equitable patient care and physician advancement.
Areas of focus may include racial and health equity, disability advocacy, LGBTQ+ inclusion, reproductive justice, language access, physician workforce diversity, trainee mistreatment, and efforts to foster inclusive and supportive learning and professional environments.
The committee works to ensure that the RFS remains a welcoming and representative community where all resident and fellow physicians can thrive and contribute meaningfully.
Please note: Standing committee opportunities may change yearly depending on current issues within the RFS, section priorities and present workload for the committees.
Committee on Medical Education and Labor (CME)
The Committee on Medical Education and Labor (CME) addresses issues related to graduate medical education, physician training, workforce sustainability and the working conditions of physicians-in-training.
Committee members assist the RFS Governing Council in writing reports for consideration by the RFS Assembly and educating members about issues affecting residency and fellowship training. The committee examines topics such as educational quality, GME funding, physician workforce shortages, resident and fellow compensation, leave policies, workplace protections, wellness, burnout, licensure and credentialing, debt burden, medical training and the intersection of public health, and the evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence in medical education and clinical practice.
The committee works to ensure that resident and fellow physicians have a strong voice in shaping both the future of medical education and the future of the physician workforce.
- RFS Board of Trustees representative
The Board of Trustees guides the activities of the AMA and ensures that the AMA remains focused on its mission to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health. The board is composed of 21 members, including a resident or fellow member endorsed by the RFS at the interim meeting. The term for the resident or fellow member is two years, beginning June 2027.
The RFS Assembly will endorse one candidate for the resident seat. The election will be held at the House of Delegates (HOD) in June 2027. Any and all candidates may wish to continue their candidacy at the HOD regardless of whether they receive this endorsement.
Apply now. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
- RFS council representatives
Council on Constitution & Bylaws—Resident member (endorsement only)
The Council on Constitution & Bylaws (CCB) recommends changes in the constitution and bylaws as directed by the AMA House of Delegates (HOD) and advises the AMA Board of Trustees in reviewing the rules, regulations and procedures of AMA sections. Members are elected by the House of Delegates at the annual meeting. The term for the resident or fellow member is two years, beginning June 2027.
The RFS Assembly will endorse one candidate for the resident seat. The election will be held at the House of Delegates (HOD) in June 2027. Any and all candidates may wish to continue their candidacy at the HOD regardless of whether they receive this endorsement
Apply now. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
Council on Medical Education—Resident member (endorsement only)
The Council on Medical Education studies and evaluates all aspects of the medical education continuum and recommends policies for medical and allied health education. The council also recommends the means by which the AMA provides information, leadership and direction to the existing inter-organizational bodies dealing with medical and allied health education. These recommendations are submitted to the House of Delegates via reports at the AMA Annual and Interim Meetings. Members are elected by the House of Delegates at the annual meeting. The term for the resident or fellow member is two years, beginning June 2027.
The RFS Assembly will endorse one candidate for the resident seat. The election will be held at the House of Delegates (HOD) in June 2027. Any and all candidates may wish to continue their candidacy at the HOD regardless of whether they receive this endorsement
Apply now. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
Council on Medical Service—Resident member (endorsement only)
The Council on Medical Service (CMS) studies socioeconomic aspects that influence the practice of medicine. The council recommends relevant policy changes to improve healthcare delivery in a changing socioeconomic environment; investigates social and economic factors influencing the practice of medicine; and confers with state associations, component societies and national medical specialty societies regarding changing conditions and anticipated proposals that would affect medical care. Members are elected by the House of Delegates at the annual meeting. The term for the resident or fellow member is two years, beginning June 2027.
The RFS Assembly will endorse one candidate for the resident seat. The election will be held at the House of Delegates (HOD) in June 2027. Any and all candidates may wish to continue their candidacy at the HOD regardless of whether they receive this endorsement.
Apply now. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
