Candidate for election at 2025 Annual Meeting: Joey Whelihan, MD

Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates on June 10, 2025.

Officers and five councils are elected by the American Medical Association House of Delegates (HOD) at the Annual Meeting. The elections are conducted during a special election session under the supervision of the Committee on Rules and Credentials and the chief teller, who are appointed by the speakers. The speaker and vice speaker are responsible for overall administration of the elections. Voting is conducted by secret ballot.

2025-2027

Medical education is the foundation of our profession, and the policies we shape today will determine how the next generation of physicians is trained. As an adolescent medicine fellow, I have experienced firsthand the strengths of our training system—along with the areas where it falls short. I am running for the AMA Council on Medical Education because I believe we need a stronger voice advocating for high-quality training, improved working conditions, and sustainable funding for graduate medical education. 

Throughout my career, I have worked to advance policies that support residents and fellows, ensuring that we have the mentorship, protections, and resources we need to thrive. Whether through my leadership in the AMA Resident and Fellow Section, my work on governance reform, or my advocacy for medical education policy, I have consistently focused on solutions that improve training across all specialties. 

We need leaders who understand the realities of medical education today and who can bring bold, practical solutions to the table. I am committed to ensuring that residency and fellowship remain centered on education, not just service, and that every trainee has the opportunity to become the best physician they can be. I would be honored to serve and advocate for you on the AMA Council on Medical Education.

As a council member, I will focus on three key priorities: 

Advancing excellence in medical training: Residency and fellowship should be about growth, learning, and preparation for independent practice. I will work to ensure that education remains at the center of training programs by supporting policies that promote high-quality mentorship, robust clinical experiences, and well-being initiatives that prevent burnout. A diverse and well-supported physician workforce is essential to meeting the needs of our patients. 

Strengthening protections for physicians in training: Residents and fellows are the backbone of our health care system, yet too often, we are expected to work under conditions that do not prioritize our safety or education. I will advocate for fair working conditions, equitable compensation, and policies that protect trainees from mistreatment while fostering a safe, supportive learning environment. 

Ensuring sustainable funding for graduate medical education: A strong physician workforce requires stable investment in training programs. I will push for increased federal support for GME to ensure that funding keeps pace with workforce needs, allowing for the expansion of residency positions in critical specialties and underserved areas. Trainees deserve a system that prioritizes both education and well-being. I am ready to work with leaders across the House of Medicine to ensure that our training system prepares us to deliver the best possible care to our patients.

I am honored to have the endorsement of the AMA Resident and Fellow Section, where I have served as a Delegate, Alternate Delegate, and Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation and Advocacy. Through these roles, I have worked to shape policies that improve training conditions for residents and fellows nationwide. 

Beyond my work in the AMA, I have: 

• Led efforts to improve governance and leadership opportunities for trainees.
• Advocated for medical education funding and policy reform at institutional and national levels.
• Published research and policy focused on health equity and medical education innovation. 

My experience in medical education policy—both within the AMA and at my home institutions—has prepared me to be an effective advocate for residents and fellows across all specialties. If elected, I will bring this experience and passion to the AMA Council on Medical Education, working to build a stronger, more sustainable future for medical training.

• Visit the AMA elections page for information on other candidates running for office.
• Find up to date information for the June Annual Meeting of the HOD.