Find leadership opportunities with the AMA sections

AMA gives medical students, residents and physicians opportunities to influence policy and make a positive impact on the future of public health and the medical profession. The sections provide AMA members with opportunities to develop their leadership skills, network and advocate for the issues that matter.

AMA sections are interest-based groups that offer members the opportunity to shape AMA policy, increase relevant knowledge and skills, and interact with peers with similar interests or backgrounds. No matter the career stage, practice setting or background, the AMA sections provide access to resources and colleagues who share topics and concerns.

There are currently 11 sections and one special group, each focused on a specific interest. Visit each section's leadership opportunities page for additional information on available opportunities.

1. Academic Physicians Section (APS)

   1. The APS provides members leadership opportunities on the governing council.

2. International Medical Graduates Section (IMGS)

   1. The IMGS offers leadership opportunities tailored to its members' diverse backgrounds and experiences. From positions on the governing council to endorsed seats on AMA councils and dedicated representation on external organization boards, the IMGS empowers its members to shape health care policies and initiatives. Additionally, the IMGS provides committee roles and mentorship opportunities, guiding others in their U.S. medical practice journey. Automatic membership is extended to all AMA members who are international medical graduates.

3. Integrated Physician Practices Section (IPPS)

   1. The IPPS offers members a variety of leadership opportunities, including governing council positions and a variety of committee opportunities.

4. Advisory Committee on LGBTQ Issues (LGBTQ)

   1. The LGBTQ+ AC provides members passionate about LGBTQ+ issues with opportunities to take on leadership roles. Members can pursue committee leadership positions, actively shaping initiatives and advocating for LGBTQ+ health within the medical community. Additionally, the AC provides a dedicated seat for a representative from GLMA, fostering collaboration and amplifying voices within the LGBTQ+ health care community. Join us in driving positive change and advancing LGBTQ+ health care equality through leadership and advocacy within the LGBTQ+ AC.

5. Minority Affairs Section (MAS)

   1. The MAS empowers underrepresented physicians and medical students by offering leadership opportunities. This encompasses dedicated representative positions on the section’s governing council for three AMA sections (MSS, RFS, YPS), as well as representative positions for organizations such as the Association of American Indian Physicians, the National Hispanic Medical Association, and the National Medical Association. MAS also includes additional seats, such as the delegate and two at-large representative positions, ensuring diverse voices are heard and represented in key decision-making processes.

6. Medical Student Section (MSS)

   1. The MSS provides student members diverse leadership opportunities, including positions on the governing council, student seats on AMA councils, and dedicated seats on external organization boards. Additionally, students can engage in various committees to address critical health care issues. These pathways offer invaluable experiences for future leaders in medicine, empowering them to make meaningful contributions and shape the future of health care.

7. Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS)

   1. The OMSS offers members a variety of leadership opportunities, including governing council positions, and a variety of committee opportunities.

   • Governing council (elections every two years).
   • Education Committee: Plans and actuates the section’s educational programing for annual and interim meetings as well as regular webinars throughout the year. 
   • Membership & Engagement Committee: Develops section talking points and recruitment materials, promotes the section to other sections, plans and executes direct engagement with section members.
   • Policy Committee: Considers the OMSS’s policy initiatives, including resolution writing, developing market intelligence that informs good policy, and debates section policy priorities.

8. Private Practice Physicians Section (PPPS)

   1. The PPPS offers members a variety of leadership opportunities, including governing council positions and committee opportunities.

   • Governing council (elections every two years).
   • Advocacy Committee: Works to promote advocacy opportunities for private practices within and outside of the AMA.
   • Resolution Writing Committee: Provides guidance and assistance to section members who want feedback on conceptualizing, drafting and introducing resolutions for consideration by the PPPS during annual and interim meetings as well as navigating their process into the HOD.

9. Resident & Fellow Section (RFS)

   1. The RFS provides residents and fellows leadership avenues, such as positions on the governing council, and resident seats on AMA councils, actively influencing policies and initiatives that impact the medical community. The RFS also offers dedicated seats on external organization boards, ensuring our members have a voice in broader health care discussions. Furthermore, members can explore committee opportunities within the section to engage in critical issues and shape the future of medicine alongside fellow residents and fellows. Join us in advocating for the needs of residents and fellows in health care leadership.

10. Senior Physicians Section (SPS)

    1. The SPS provides a leadership path for senior physicians, whether working part-time, full-time, or retired. Members of SPS have access to various leadership opportunities, including positions on the governing council, participation in policy development committees, or serving as a state liaison. Join SPS to continue making a meaningful impact and contributing to the advancement of health care for senior physicians.

11. Women Physicians Section (WPS)

    1. The Women Physicians Section (WPS) offers diverse leadership opportunities, including governing council positions, awards, and committee roles. All women AMA members are automatically part of WPS, while other members interested in women's issues are welcome to join.

12. Young Physicians Section (YPS)

    1. The YPS provides an array of leadership pathways tailored to young physicians. These include positions on the governing council, endorsements on AMA councils, and dedicated seats on external boards, amplifying the voices of our members in broader health care discussions. Additionally, YPS offers diverse committee opportunities for members to engage in critical issues shaping the future of medicine. Automatic membership is extended to AMA physicians under 40 years of age or within the first eight years of professional practice post-residency and fellowship training.

Submit your application after reviewing the leadership position requirements on each section's page.