South Carolina Medical Associaton - Young Physicians Section

1) Register now for upcoming AMA programs in Washington, D.C.
Join your colleagues and AMA leaders in Washington, D.C., at the 2007 National Advocacy Conference, Feb. 13-14, to advocate for patients, the medical profession and the future of medicine. Tell your members of Congress how you feel about issues important to you, including covering the uninsured and Medicare physician payment reform. You will also hear from political insiders about the changing face of Congress and what the future may hold, and receive professional tips from top experts on effective communication with congressional leaders and the media.

Physicians and their spouses are also encouraged to attend the AMA Alliance Capitol Conference, scheduled for Feb. 12, in Washington, D.C. It will feature education sessions on the latest resources for the family of medicine, achieving life balance, membership marketing and maximizing fund-raising options. A session will deliver action steps for a children's public health campaign. Don't miss this dynamic, daylong event!

Learn more about both programs.

2) Strengthen your communications skills
Whether you are a spokesperson on the front lines delivering health care messages or just want to refine your communication skills, the 27th annual AMA Medical Communications Conference promises to enhance your skills and effectiveness. Join your colleagues and medical communications peers April 12-14 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay in Tampa, Fla., for an intensive, interactive and fun conference that provides opportunities to network and learn from top health care reporters, public relations professionals and communication coaches. From "hands-on" skills-building workshops to compelling, thought-provoking panel and group discussions, this conference is a must for anyone who delivers and disseminates health care information to the media and public.

Register today. Discounted registration is offered to those who register before Jan. 31.

3) for nominations: AMA councils
The AMA Board of Trustees is seeking additional nominations for the AMA's four elected councils. The deadline as been extended to Jan. 24. The AMA's elected councils are: the Council on Constitution and Bylaws, the Council on Medical Education, the Council on Medical Service, and the Council on Science and Public Health. The AMA-YPS cannot nominate for elected AMA councils but can endorse the nomination of candidates whose names are put forward by their state or specialty medical society.

Also, the AMA seeks candidates for potential appointment to the AMA Council on Legislation and the Council on Long Range Planning and Development. The AMA-YPS can nominate qualified candidates for these appointed AMA positions, and also can endorse the candidacy of those who have been nominated by another entity. The deadline to request a possible nomination/endorsement from the AMA-YPS is March 10, with nominations due to the AMA by March 16.

Visit the Web site for more information about these AMA council elections and to download nomination forms.

View the AMA-YPS criteria for nomination and endorsement.

4) Would you like to help the AMA grow?
As an AMA member, you are naturally part of our membership recruitment team. However, there is a formal Membership Outreach Recruiting program, now in its 23rd year, which rewards and recognizes AMA member recruiters for their efforts. In 2006, 491 Outreach Recruiters brought in 3,187 new members, surpassing the program's goal of 3,000. In 2007, the Outreach Recruiting program expects to add 3,300 new members.

Sign up today; send an e-mail or call (312) 464-5324.

5) Wanted: AMA-IMGs to mentor newly arriving IMGs
Like many immigrants, newly arriving international medical graduates (IMGs) face significant professional and personal hurdles, as described in a recent cover article in American Medical News, "Classes teach new IMGs American-style medicine."

To help smooth the transition to living and working in the United States, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) has developed the IMG Advisor Network (IAN). Through IAN, IMGs applying for J-1 Exchange Visitor Program visas can communicate directly with IMGs who have successfully entered or completed U.S. GME training. Volunteer advisors are needed to participate in IAN. >>Learn more

AMA members can visit the Web site to learn about other mentoring opportunities.

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6) Get the essential tools to be an effective campaign volunteer
Every year, more physicians look at the liability, payment and scope-of-practice crises and realize that involvement in the political process is not a luxury but a necessity. Young physician Kristopher Crawford, MD, who recently was elected to the South Carolina legislature, is a graduate of the American Medical Association Political Action Committee (AMPAC) Candidate Workshop. The next one is scheduled for Feb. 16-18, in Arlington, Va. The workshop is extremely valuable to anyone running for any elected position in any capacity.

AMPAC's Campaign School, scheduled for April 18-22, in Arlington, Va., can help you become a winning political strategist and help you elect friends of medicine to office in your local community, or at the state or federal levels. The Campaign School is renowned for its use of a simulated campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, complete with demographics, voting statistics and candidate biographies. Registration costs are waived for AMA members and their families. >>Learn more

Texas physicians can visit the Web site to learn about attending a condensed AMPAC Campaign School program on March 5 in Austin.

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