In this issue:

• Hope to See You in Washington, DC!
• New Position at AMSA National Office
• AMSA's New Strategic Priorities
• Who Do You Know?
• AMSA is in Love
• AMSA Selects Psychologist as New Executive Director
• In the News
• Calendar of Upcoming Events

Hope to See You in Washington, DC!

AMSA's 59th Annual Convention is being held in Arlington, VA / Washington, DC from March 12-15, 2009. This year's theme is "Win Back Our Profession" and there will be over 100 plenary sessions, 6th Annual Arts Reception, 14th Annual Poster Session, and amazing keynote presentations, including:

• Jim Yong Kim, MD, PhD, François Xavier Bagnoud Professor, Health and Human Rights, Harvard School of Public Health
• Dave Logan, PhD, Co-founder and Senior Partner, CultureSync
  

Check out the entire program.

New Position at AMSA National Office

AMSA is looking for motivated medical students to apply for the 2009-2010 Jack Rutledge Legislative Director (JRLD). This position is 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.

AMSA's New Strategic Priorities

In November 2007, 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

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!

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!

AMSA Selects Psychologist as New Executive Director

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation’s largest, independent medical student organization, and the AMSA Foundation today announce the appointment of its new Executive Director. Dr. Carol Williams-Nickelson, PsyD was selected following an extensive and thorough executive search process with a pool of very highly qualified candidates. Read more...

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.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

For more events and opportunities, click here.