Why get involved in health care advocacy? Two
members of the Massachusetts delegation to the AMA Annual Meeting 2017 say why
they’re involved and what they get out of it.
McKinley
Glover, MD; neuroradiologist, MGH; Health Policy and Management Fellow, Massachusetts
General Physicians Organization
Why
are you active in the AMA?
“It’s
a great way to take the pulse of health care in the US, because the meeting brings
together physicians from all across the country. There are few better ways to
hear diverse perspectives on medicine. It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and
criticize the positions of any organization, but the best way to influence
change is to get involved. It is rewarding to share my views as well as learn
from other physicians as it relates to healthcare policy.”
What
was your #1 topic at this meeting?
“Residency application timelines; there should be equity for medical students
regardless of specialty. Early matching for some specialties creates an uneven
playing field for medical students in what is an already competitive and
stressful time. Early matching for some specialties also prevents the ability
to couples match.”
What
moment stands out?
“There was respectful and vigorous debate regarding whether the AMA should
support all specialties utilizing a single residency matching system. After the
session, I met one of the physicians who had very different views regarding the
current matching process. We had a great conversation and agreed to work
together on future policy issues. Regardless of the issue of debate, the AMA
meeting provides an immense opportunity to develop friendships and
relationships with colleagues and learn from each other.”
Jessica
Fortin, MD candidate; UMass Medical School
Why are you
active in the AMA?
“In our political climate, advocacy is incredibly
important. The most heartwarming and motivational thing is seeing first-year
medical students stand up at meetings and go to the microphone. When the rubber
hits the road, it’s very important to have a voice and also to do something
about it. If we could harness the energy of medical students we could change
the world.”
What was your #1
topic at this meeting?
“Medical student and resident burnout is something
I’ve witnessed in my friends. Every one of them is on a psychotropic
medication. Burnout isn’t solved by teaching people to take care of themselves.
We need to address the institutional reasons that people become suicidal in
medicine.”
What moment
stands out?
“As the youngest
member of the delegation I became the go-to tech person. I was teaching the
senior physicians how to text their kids and put gifs on their phones. One of
them called ‘Jess, I need your help! My screen won’t go away!’ I didn’t have
time, but I haven’t forgotten. Maybe I’ll help him at the next AMA meeting, in
Hawaii.”
MMS Ambassador program
The delegation mentored
five MMS Ambassadors in our signature program that introduces members to organized
medicine at the national level. This year’s ambassadors included Eileen Deignan, MD; Pei-Li Huang, MD; Mangadhara Madineedi, MD; Kenath Shamir, MD, and Marguerite Youngren. To learn more
about the program, please contact mjussaume@mms.org.
Members of the delegation who serve on AMA
councils include:
Grayson Armstrong,
MD — AMPAC
Matthew Lecuyer,
MD — Council on Long Range
Planning & Development
James Sabin, MD — Council on Ethical &
Judicial Affairs
Laurie Schleimer — Council
on Ethical & Judicial Affairs (student)
Lynda Young, MD — Council on Medical Service
The AMA Turns Up the
Volume on Medicaid, Opioids, and Health Plans: Read
a brief report in Vital Signs (September 14, 2017) on the AMA
Annual Meeting and the Massachusetts delegation experience.
The AMA Annual Meeting, 2017: Read a full
report from the AMA.
