2005 Interim Meeting

Dear Colleague,

The 2005 Interim Meeting of the American Medical Association Resident and Fellow Section (AMA-RFS) was a success. Almost 200 residents and fellows representing a variety of specialty societies, states, and the armed forces attended the meeting at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, November 4 to 5, 2005. A few of the activities that members had a chance to participate in included debating and developing policy for our association, listening to activity updates, and attending the second Annual Poster Symposium.

Medical Liability Reform

During the assembly, residents and fellows discussed 4 resolutions and 10 reports. These included "Safe Disposal of Unused Pharmaceuticals," "Inclusion of Residents in Medical Liability Reform," and "Covering the Uninsured as AMA's Top Priority." The RFS adopted and forwarded a resolution to the AMAHouse of Delegates about supporting the inclusion of residents in medical liability reform.

Also at the meeting, the RFS elected Sunny Ramchandani, MD, as chair-elect of the RFS Governing Council. His election created an opening for the vice-chair position. Kelly Caverzagie, MD, was elected to this position. Congratulations to Drs Ramchandani and Caverzagie.

Open Positions

We are looking forward to receiving candidate applications for the 2006-2007 RFS Governing Council elections in June. Open positions will include speaker, vice-speaker, vice-chair, membership and outreach officer, delegate, and alternate delegate.

A final summary of assembly actions can be found at the RFS Web site at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/15.html or by e-mailing RFS staff at rfs@amaassn.org.

The assembly had the opportunity to hear from several great speakers, including representatives from the AMA Political Action Committee, the AMA Board of Trustees, Lobby Day, the AMA Foundation, the AMA Alliance, and the Congressional Affairs Department. Gary Epstein, AMA chief marketing officer, presented information on the AMA's new exciting marketing campaign. In addition, Drs Charles Mashek, Lara Mashek, and Andy Blalock provided an update on their efforts to assist hurricane Katrina victims. They shared a slide show, which displayed the devastation from the hurricane and their heroic efforts in assisting the victims.

Katrina Drive

The RFS held a medical supply drive for residents affected by hurricane Katrina—Katrina Drive. This was an outstanding success, and we received many of the desperately needed supplies. Dr Joe Craft, RFS chair, and Dr Michelle Nichols, RFS member-at-large, drove a U-Haul truck filled with collected supplies from Dallas to Baton Rouge. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Katrina Drive.

Annual Poster Symposium

The second Annual Poster Symposium was held on Saturday, November 5, 2005. Participants submitted poster abstracts in the areas of public health and medical education, clinical vignette, basic science, and clinical medicine. Judges selected winners from more than 100 poster submissions. Cash prizes were awarded to the winners.

A listing of winners and poster topics can be found at www.amaassn.org/ama/pub/category/12769. html. The AMA-RFS will hold the next Poster Symposium at the 2006 Interim Meeting. Congratulations to all winners.

Thank you to all volunteers and members who attended the meeting and made it a great success. We look forward to seeing you at the 2006 Annual Meeting in Chicago.

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

Ingrid Phillips, MPH, MBA

Policy Analyst

American Medical Association-Resident and Fellow Section

American Medical Association

Resident and Fellow Section

2004-2005 Governing Council

Chair:

Joe Craft III, MD

Chair-Elect:

Sunny Ramchandani, MD, MPH

Vice Chair:

Kelly Caverzagie, MD

Secretary:

Douglas Che Miller, MD

Delegate:

David Rosman, MD

Alternate Delegate:

Adam Levine, MD

Member-at-Large:

Alexander Llanos, MD

Member-at-Large:

Michelle Nichols, MD

Resident Trustee:

Samantha Cramoy, MD

Director

Julie Snelling,

Department of Resident and Fellow Services

"Code Blue" is prepared by the Resident and Fellow Section of the AMA. Unless specifically indicated, its articles and opinions are not necessarily the policy of the AMA or of Resident & Staff Physician. This newsletter is contained in Resident & Staff Physician solely as a service to residents. The journal is not in any way involved in deciding the content of "Code Blue." 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.