The AMA sections are lifecycle, demographic and practice-based interest groups that offer AMA members the opportunity to shape AMA policy, increase relevant knowledge and skills, and interact with peers with similar interests or backgrounds.
Sections meet twice each year in conjunction with meetings of the AMA House of Delegates (HOD) and offer various additional involvement opportunities throughout the year.
Federation representation in the sections
Three AMA sections offer opportunities for representation of Federation organizations in section business meetings. Note that Federation representation in the sections is separate from representation in the HOD and is not required.
Medical Student Section (MSS)
Each medical specialty society, federal service and professional interest medical association represented in the HOD and that has established a medical student component is entitled to representation in the MSS Assembly at a rate of one voting representative and one non-voting alternate representative per organization.
Learn more about credentialing representatives and other opportunities with the MSS.
Resident and Fellow Section (RFS)
Each medical specialty society, federal service and professional interest medical association represented in the HOD is entitled to representation in the RFS Assembly at a rate of one voting representative for every 100 resident/fellow members of the organization who are members of the AMA.
Learn more about credentialing representatives and other opportunities with the RFS.
Young Physicians Section (YPS)
Each state/specialty medical society represented in the HOD is entitled to representation in the YPS Assembly at a rate of two voting representatives for every 1,000 young physician members of the society who are members of the AMA. Societies with unified membership are entitled to two additional voting representatives.
Each federal service represented in the HOD is entitled to two voting representatives in the YPS Assembly.
Learn more about credentialing representatives and other opportunities with the YPS.
Section endorsements
Currently, four sections endorse candidates for one or more AMA-wide elected offices (president-elect, Board of Trustees, councils):
- Academic Physicians Section
- International Medical Graduates Section
- Minority Affairs Section
- Young Physicians Section
Endorsement requirements and deadlines vary by section. Contact each section for more information.
Contact information for AMA sections
- Academic Physicians Section: Fred Lenhoff ([email protected])
- Advisory Committee on LGBTQ Issues: Charlotte Grill ([email protected])
- Integrated Physician Practice Section: Carrie Waller ([email protected])
- International Medical Graduates Section: Carolyn Carter-Ellis ([email protected])
- Medical Student Section: Shane McGoey ([email protected])
- Minority Affairs Section: Craig Johnson ([email protected])
- Organized Medical Staff Section: Marissa Sanders ([email protected])
- Private Practice Physicians Section: Marissa Sanders ([email protected])
- Resident and Fellow Section: Rosa Karbowiak ([email protected])
- Senior Physicians Section: Alice Reed ([email protected])
- Women Physicians Section: Harley Grant ([email protected])
- Young Physicians Section: Harley Grant ([email protected])
