The AMA Senior Physicians Section (SPS) held its 2026 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.
SPS education sessions
The SPS sponsored two education programs on Friday, June 5. The first program, titled “Simplifying Life’s Final Affairs Through Advance Directives,” featured George Lange, MD, immediate past president, OSMAP and SPS liaison from Wisconsin. This session explored practical approaches to proactive planning, showing how advance directives and coordinated medical care can reduce confusion and enhance communication. The program was moderated by Jenny Boyer, MD, JD, PhD, chair of the SPS Governing Council.
A second education program titled “Innovations in Dementia Care: Interdisciplinary Approaches and Clinical Management,” featured speakers Allan A. Anderson, MD, delegate, American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry; Renee C. Bovelle, MD, delegate, MedChi, and an ophthalmologist; and Daniel N. Pierce, MD, YPS delegate, American Academy of Physician Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). This program addressed how a dementia diagnosis affects both patients and caregivers, and explored how innovations in detection and management can improve quality of life for everyone involved by fostering safety, independence and reducing caregiver burden through early intervention, teamwork and practical, whole-person approaches. The program was moderated by Michael DellaVecchia, MD, PhD, chair-elect of the SPS Governing Council. Download the presentation slides (PDF).
SPS resolutions
The SPS Assembly meeting included a discussion of policy items relevant to senior physicians as well as senior patients. The SPS Governing Council reviewed House of Delegates (HOD) resolutions and reports related to senior physician issues, including five SPS resolutions and three reports coming back on SPS resolutions.
- Resolution 008: Senior Physicians Improving Patient Access—Adopted
- Resolution 110: Medicaid Coverage for Incarcerated Individuals—Adopted
- Resolution 231: Protecting and Promoting Long Term Care Workforce Amidst Immigration Challenges—Existing AMA policies D-360.998 and D-255.980 were reaffirmed in lieu of Resolution 231
- Resolution 311: Changing the Paradigm of Medical Student Debt to address the Geriatric Physician Shortfall—Not adopted
- Resolution 512: Medical Cannabis Use in Older Adults—Adopted as amended
For additional information on the 2026 SPS Annual Meeting, visit the section's agenda and resources.
