The AMA Minority Affairs Section (MAS) Governing Council held three programs in conjunction with its section business meeting and reception.
The AMA-MAS conducted a successful Doctors Back to School™ (DBTS) visit at Harry Stone Montesorri Academy. The program reached out to nearly 400 fourth through and eight graders, presenting healthy lifestyle choices (diet, physical activity, and reducing alcohol and tobacco use) and showing how medicine is an attainable profession. The DBTS program is a tangible way that physicians and medical students introduce and inspire minority children to consider careers in medicine.
Rodney Stapp, MD, chief executive officer of the Urban Inter-Tribal Center of Texas, was the keynote speaker at this year’s AMA-MAS section business meeting. His highly engaging presentation addressed issues in urban Indian health and changing the narrative when we talk about racial and ethnic disparities in health care. The meeting also featured an open forum on AMA House of Delegates reports and resolutions that impact minority physicians and patients.
The AMA-MAS, in collaboration with other AMA sections and special groups and the AMA’s Improving Health Outcomes (IHO) department, hosted a CME educational program. Christopher Holliday, PhD, a representative from IHO, described how the AMA is seeking to improve health outcomes by strengthening links between health care clinics and communities.
Christopher Berry, MD, discussed how his health center is using population health approaches to improve patients’ health outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. Visit the section website to learn more about MAS news and initiatives.
