What does AMSA provide medical students?
Written by Michael Walls DO MPH, AMSA President and Andres Diaz, MD/PhD Candidate, Chief Editor of The New Physician
Nobody knows exactly how academic programs will adapt to USMLE and COMLEX Step/Level 1 becoming a pass/fail assessment. However, residency programs will need to find other ways to evaluate applicants. Many programs will increase their focus on Step and Level 2, but leadership skills and experiences will be an increasingly necessary and critical part of evaluating residency applicants.
Over the years, an increasing number of students and academic programs have called for a more complete approach to residency applications, one that properly considers leadership, engagement, and community involvement. It is here, in the realm of advocacy and leadership development, where the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) can truly serve students. AMSA has been advocating for medical students and patients for over 70 years. Since it was founded in 1950, AMSA has been providing physicians-in-training with resources and opportunities to develop as thinkers, doers, and leaders in medicine. AMSA is the oldest medical student-governed organization in the United States and has played an integral role in establishing the National Health Service Corps, reforming the Match algorithm to favor students, and capping resident work to 80 hours per week, and much more.
At AMSA, we pride ourselves on having opportunities for all medical students to get involved based on their interests. One of our biggest and most robust opportunities is our Reproductive Health Project. Through this initiative, we are committed to bringing medical students together with policymakers, abortion providers, and mentors, to teach our members how to advocate for reproductive and abortion health rights. Over the three years since the start of this program, we have helped over 2000 students become more effective and meaningful advocates for their communities and future patients.
Beyond the Reproductive Health Project, students can get involved with any of our Action Committees or Campaigns. These initiatives focus on advocacy and education in nearly every major topic in medicine. From tackling racism and diversity in medicine through our Race, Ethnicity, and Culture in Health team, to leading National Primary Care Week with our Community and Public Health team, to organizing protests on gun safety with the Med Students for Gun Safety campaign, AMSA has it all!
AMSA has also committed to improving the future of medical education through our Medical Education Scorecard. Through this initiative we work with health professionals, students, institutions, and other professionals to assess how medical schools address crucial MedEd issues including student wellness, antiracism, and social determinants of health. We strongly believe that this endeavor will have a direct impact on the many issues faced daily by physicians-in-training.
AMSA also works to fill the gaps in medical education with our Life + Leadership Program and Scholars Programs. Our Leadership Program runs every fall so students can learn to manage projects, negotiate contracts, and improve communication skills. These skills will serve students not only during the application process but throughout residency and into life as an attending.
To further enhance students’ unique medical interests, AMSA established the Scholars Programs. In this program, students can explore topics such as transgender health, sexual and reproductive health, advocacy, healthcare for all, and more. Through these additional training opportunities, students can prepare to become more compassionate and complete physicians who not only treat the disease but also treat the whole person. These skills prove essential on SubI’s or Audition rotations, as they prepare students to better understand the systemic challenges facing the patient in front of you. Students can receive certificates of completion after participating in any of the programs to build their CVs and highlight their pursuit of additional training to become better physicians.
No matter the interest, area of focus, or advocacy goal, AMSA can help students build their resumes and develop into physician leaders. We have been nurturing and training future leaders, advocates, and healers for over 70 years. We are not stopping now or ever. To join and get involved, visit our website. If you have questions, do not hesitate to email Michael Walls at pres@amsa.org
