AMSA Matters Newsletter |
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In this issue:
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Hope to See You in Houston!
AMSA's 58th Annual Convention is being held in Houston, Texas from March 12-16, 2008. This year there are over 100 plenary sessions, 5th Annual Arts in Activism Reception, 13th Annual Poster Session, and amazing keynote presentations, including:
- Houston Mayor Bill White
- JAMA Editor, Dr. Catherine DeAngelis
- U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. James Peake
- Former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Joycelyn Elders
- New Orleans Health Department, Director of Disaster Preparedness, Dr. Evangeline Franklin
- Director, City of Houston Emergency Medical Services, Dr. David E. Persse
Join us on Friday at Houston City Hall as we rally for immigrant health care.
AMSA will be hosting Raising Our Voices: Women Leaders in Medicine Gala on Thursday. Women leaders throughout medicine will be honored with the Women Leaders in Medicine Award and an exhibit will be unveiled, featuring their photographs and stories. Please join us to celebrate these amazing women at our reception and hear Dr. Evangeline Franklin deliver an inspiring address.
Check out the entire program.
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AMSA Partners with Logical Images
Just this month, AMSA has announced its partnership with Logical Images, developer of visual health care tools to elevate diagnostic accuracy, enhance medical education, and heighten patient knowledge. AMSA will be providing VisualDx to all its members. VisualDx, an Internet-based visual diagnosis aid proven to increase diagnostic accuracy, gives students immediate access to areas of medicine that are typically underserved in today's heavy medical curriculums. For more info, click here.
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New Position at AMSA National Office
AMSA is looking for motivated medical students to apply for the 2008-2009 Jack Rutledge Legislative Director (JRLD). This is a new position that will be responsible for coordinating the public policy work of the Association as well as coordinating AMSA's campaign on quality, affordable healthcare for all. The application is now online.
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AMSA Announces New Strategic Priorities
In November, AMSA's Board of Trustees announced new strategic priorities for the organization:
- Quality, affordable health care for all
- Global health equity
- Enriching medicine through diversity
- Professional integrity, development and student well being
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 Who Do You Know?
Through its development efforts, "Coffee Campaign" and collaboration with the Alumni and Development Standing Committee of the Board of Trustees, the AMSA Foundation has been reaching out to current and former AMSA leaders with a request for support. One hundred percent of AMSA's BOT and 87 percent of the AMSA Foundation board has made a contribution! Through individual donations, the AMSA Foundation received a total of $2,612.71 from May through December 2007. This level of giving demonstrates the commitment of AMSA's leadership to the organization and its initiatives.
As AMSA's development campaign moves forward in 2008, we are exploring various private and corporate sponsors for our activities, including leadership training and the AMSA annual convention. The AMSA Foundation would benefit from the connections you have with the corporate and philanthropic world. Please contact Joan Hedgecock, Associate Director of the AMSA Foundation, to discuss your fundraising ideas, contacts and how you can continue to give back to the organization you so proudly led.
Show Your Support for the AMSA Foundation!
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 AMSA is in Love
We celebrate Valentine's Day this week! As many of you know, AMSA is the place for love. Numerous couples have emerged over the years.
Current AMSA President Mike Ehlert and Britt Westgard met through the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine AMSA chapter. Mike was chapter president and Britt was a first year. Britt went on to become AMSA's Region 4 Trustee in 2006. The happy couple will be getting married this coming June in Minnesota. Mike proposed at the 2007 annual convention!
Past President 2001-2002 Jaya Agrawal and 2001-2002 Action Committee Trustee Simon Ahtaridis met and married. (Photo Above)
Dr. Eric Whitaker, (AMSA national president 1977-1978) told us, "I found my wife here and some would say I found my life here." Whitaker was just named Executive Vice President for Strategic Affiliations and Associate Dean for Community-Based Research at the University of Chicago Medical Center. He lives on Chicago's south side with his son, daughter, and wife Cheryl, also a past AMSA member.
Tell us how you met your sweetheart through AMSA!
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AMSA to hire a new Executive Director
The AMSA Board of Trustees held final interviews this week for the association's next executive director. With large shoes to fill, both AMSA and the AMSA Foundation are confident that they have outstanding candidates and will be proudly announcing the new director at the annual convention in Houston, Texas. Our previous director unexpectedly resigned last May which resulted in a nationwide search yielding many very well qualified candidates. Please be on the look out for an official announcement very soon.
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In the News
Jay Bhatt (AMSA national president, 2006-2007) was interviewed by the Chicago Daily Herald on Abbott Laboratories HIV drug, Norvir.
AMSA's National PharmFree Week was covered in many media outlets, including the Hartford Courant, Associated Press, National Public Radio and The Politico. Newsweek also ran a story on the PharmFree Campaign.
World AIDS Day coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle.
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
For more events and opportunities, click here.
March 12-16, 2008
AMSA 58th Annual Convention
Houston, Texas
March 14-27, 2008
National Physician's Alliance Annual Meeting
Houston, Texas
March 31-April 25, 2008
Humanistic Elective in alternative medicine, Activism and Reflective Transformation (HEART)
Ben Lomand, California
April 5-6, 2008
LGBT Medical School Chapter Leaders Summit
Reston, Virginia
April 11-13, 2008
6th Annual MD/MBA Program Conference
Reston, Virginia
April 25-27, 2008
First Annual Leadership Institute on Disabilities
Reston, Virginia
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would you like to receive future issues of the newsletter via email? Contact Kim Becker
at 703-620-6600 x207 or by email to let her know.
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