The AMA aims to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health. For medical students involved in this time-tested physician organization, playing a role in the pursuit of that mission can equip them with the tools to successfully navigate the evolving health care landscape.
At the 2026 Physicians of the Future Summit, leaders in organized medicine spoke about the value of medical student involvement in the AMA and how it can shape one’s career. Here are five key skills that speakers highlighted for medical students.
Communication
A core skill in any clinical setting, communication is at the heart of the work the AMA does.
Mary LaPlante, MD—an AMA member and ob-gyn in Cleveland—told medical students that authentic communication with patients is the cornerstone not just of good medicine, but of meaningful medical training.
“I do a lot of menopause counseling,” Dr. LaPlante said. “In the office, I will tell them [patients] what we know, what we don't know. I will give them a little bit of the history of even my experiences between residency and where we are now. I will tell them the information I think we're going to have in 20 years. Then ask them where their value system is in their own decision and the implications on their life.”
Through their advocacy work with the AMA—activities such as writing resolutions, speaking to elected officials or even off-hand conversations with other members—medical students refine how they convey their ideas and listen to others.
“This is the strength of the AMA. It's the people who come together,” she said. “It's the lessons that I've learned over the years that help me think about my community.”
Leadership
AMA membership cultivates leadership at every stage. For medical students, the leadership skills you hone as a member of the AMA Medical Student Section can stick with you.
AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD, has been involved with the organization since he was a resident.
“When you engage with the AMA, as a member, or as an active participant in our Medical Student Section, you’ve taken your first step towards physician advocacy and leadership,” said Dr. Mukkamala, an otolaryngologist in Flint, Michigan. “You’ll develop skills of communication and cooperation that are going to serve you throughout your career as they did me.”
For medical students looking to boost their leadership and advocacy skills, there’s nothing wrong with starting small, according to Ilse R. Levin, DO, MPH.
Now a member of the AMA Board of Trustees, Dr. Levin’s first work with the AMA was writing what she thought was a minor resolution about mercury in seafood. She wasn’t in attendance when the resolution was adopted as policy by the AMA House of Delegates.
“What really struck me was, soon after that, I was watching the news, and there was a whole report on the AMA taking a stand on mercury in seafood, and I thought: Oh my gosh, I wrote that resolution,” said Dr. Levin, an internist and an epidemiologist from Maryland. “It blew my mind that leadership could start with just writing about something that you thought was really important and didn't have policy.”
For medical students looking to hone their leadership skills, the AMA offers the chance to distinguish yourself through more than 1,000 leadership opportunities and skill building through online training modules, project-based learning and more.
Developing perspective and humility
As a member of the AMA, you will be around some of the world’s most knowledgeable physicians. Working in tandem with those experts can be a valuable learning experience.
The AMA’s breadth of knowledge rests in its membership. If you want to learn more about an area of policy within the AMA, members are approachable, Dr. LaPlante said.
“People are always willing to answer questions and give you that perspective of what they have,” she said.
That having been said, the AMA gives medical students a seat at the table for a reason.
“I don't think that we should ever be hesitant to share our opinion on an issue that we have passionate about, we have an interest in solution,” Dr. Mukkamala said. “If people don't know who you are when you're making a comment, just introduce yourself and say: This is me, this is why I have this question, this is why I have this idea.”
The AMA supports you today as a medical student and is protecting your future as a physician. Medical students who join the AMA enjoy exclusive member benefits and perks to help them personally and professionally on their road to residency. They also get to select from a variety of free gifts when they join, including powerful study aids for the USMLE or COMLEX-USA tests. Learn more and join today.
