2005 Annual Meeting Overview

Dear Colleague,

The American Medical Association's Resident and Fellow Section (AMA-RFS) hosted the 29th annual business meeting, June 16-18, 2005, at the Palmer House in Chicago. The meeting brought together resident physicians and fellows from many locales to discuss health care issues and to develop new policies. The meeting provided an opportunity for new and old members to meet and network.

Dr Jeff González, 2004-2005 Governing Council Chair of RFS, presided over approximately 150 registered RFS members. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about AMA-RFS activities through updates and reports from representatives of the American Medical Political Action Committee, the AMA Board of Trustees, AMA-RFS Delegates, the AMA Medical Student Section, RFS Congressional Lobby Day, and the AMA Foundation. Featured guest speakers included Julius Hobson, director of Congressional Affairs; Jean Howard, president of the AMA Alliance; and Gary Epstein, chief marketing officer of the AMA.

The AMA-RFS assembly considered 6 resolutions, 3 late resolutions, and several reports at the business meeting. Resolutions included Appropriate Conditions for Breastfeeding by Residents and Fellows; Funding for Preventive Medicine Residencies; Pathway to Practice Membership; RFS Governing Council; Specialty and Military Representation Count toward Quorum in the RFS Assembly; Self-referral for Imaging Services; Promoting the Utilization of New and Old Medicare Preventive Services Benefits; Eliminating Health Disparities—Promoting Awareness and Education of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Issues; and Reforming the System of Determining Residents' Salaries. The RFS assembly submitted 5 resolutions to the AMA House of Delegates for action. The final actions of these 5 resolutions as well as the final actions of the AMA-RFS assembly can be seen at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/12156.html.

On Thursday, June 16, AMARFS members had the opportunity to meet with AMAleadership over dinner at the AMA-RFS Member Connect Roundtable. AMA-RFS members exchanged ideas and views on the AMA's agenda, activities, and priorities with Dr John C. Nelson, 2004-2005 AMApresident; Dr John H. Armstrong, secretary and executive committee member, AMABoard of Trustees; Dr Rebecca J. Patchin, AMA Board of Trustees; and Gary Epstein, AMA chief marketing officer.

Awards

The RFS awarded Dr Don Hayes the second annual Paul Ambrose Award. The Ambrose Award recognizes and encourages excellence in leadership development within public health by resident and fellow physicians.

The first annual Jordan Fieldman, MD, Advocacy Award was presented to Dr Edward Lawyer. The Fieldman Award, established in memory of Dr Jordan Fieldman, is presented to resident and fellow physicians who express an interest in advocacy issues, are first-time delegates to the AMA-RFS, and are from a state or district that does not have the funds to support resident and fellow travel to AMA-RFS meetings.

2005-2006 Governing Council

The following members were elected to serve on the 2005-2006 Governing Council:

Vice Chair: Dr Sunny Ramchandani

Secretary: Dr Douglas Miller

Delegate: Dr David Rosman

Alternate Delegate: Dr Adam Levine

Member-at-large: Dr Michelle Nichols

Member-at-large: Dr Alexander Llanos

Dr Joseph Craft will serve as chair. The RFS wishes to thank Dr Jeff Gonzáles for his leadership as chair of the 2004-2005 Governing Council. Dr González is now the RFS immediate past chair. An election will be held for the next chair at the 2005 interim meeting. This individual will hold the position of chair-elect until the end of the 2006 annual meeting, at which time that person officially transitions to chair.

In addition, the newly formed Regional Council was elected by their respective regions to help develop strategic relationships with leaders of state and specialty society resident sections. To see who was elected to represent your region visit www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/9537.html.

Coming Soon

The second Annual Poster Symposium will be held during the next interim assembly meeting, which will take place November 3-5, 2005, in Dallas, Texas. The poster symposium displays original research in areas of medical education, health policy, and clinical vignettes. Abstracts must be received by September 1, 2005. Information on the event is located at www. ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/12769.html.

Additional information on meetings and AMA-RFS activities can be found at www.amaassn.org/go/ rfs. To become involved in AMAsections or organized medicine, please call 1-800-262-3211, extension 4743, or e-mail rfs@ama-assn.org.

Ingrid Phillips, MPH, MBA

Policy Analyst

American Medical Association-Resident and Fellow Section

All questions, suggestions, or requests for additional information should be sent to the AMA Department of Resident and Fellow Services, 515 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60610, or phone 312/464-4751. The American Medical Association- Resident and Fellow Section (AMA-RFS) is this nation's strongest voice for residents and their patients. Visit our Web page at www.ama-assn.org/go/rfs. To join or renew your membership, call the AMA-RFS at 800/AMA-3211.