In conjunction with the AMA Annual Meeting held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, the Minority Affairs Section (MAS) held several activities on June 7 in collaboration with other constituency groups. MAS partnered with the Medical Student Section to host a speed mentoring event, including physicians representing various practice specialties.
MAS also partnered with the MSS as well as the Board of Trustees’ Advisory Committee on LGBTQ Issues to co-host three programs. The first was an “Equity & Advocacy” briefing featuring an AMA staff attorney who provided legislative updates and other health equity developments at the federal and state levels driven by AMA policy on topics of mutual interest to the three groups. The three groups also co-hosted an education program, “Approaches to Indigenous Health Equity,” which featured a panel of four health care experts on the health and wellness of urban and rural American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. On June 8, the MAS hosted smaller member-focused meetings including a joint breakfast meeting for its new Council on Past Chairs & Delegates and its current governing council members, which featured AMA Senior Vice President & Chief Health Equity Officer Aletha Maybank, MD, MPH. Afterwards, the section hosted its regular meeting of the AI/AN Work Group.
MAS sent several resolutions to the House of Delegates. Five resolutions addressed disparities or policy gaps related to AI/AN health. Topics included:
- AMA Diversity Mentorship Program
- Improving Healthcare of Rural Minority Populations
- Disaggregation of Demographic Data for Individuals of Federally Recognized Tribes
- Cancer Care in Indian Health Services Facilities
- GME Opportunities for AI/AN populations
MAS also sponsored a resolution, “AMA Support of U.S. Pathway Programs,” which urges the AMA to (a) establish a grant program to support existing and new K-16 pathway, STEMM and pre-med programs whose goals include, scaling organizational grantees’ ability to expand their reach among youth; (b) to establish an advisory body comprised of AMA member physicians and trainees, staff, and allied organization representatives in medicine and public health to co-develop the grant program; and to (c) convene a summit among pathway and STEMM programs regarding best practices, collaboration and strategic planning.
In addition, MAS co-sponsored two resolutions:
- Edith Mitchell Memorial Resolution
- End Attacks on Health and Human Rights in Palestine and Israel (Ceasefire)
The MAS Governing Council elected two new officers to one-year terms for the 2024-2025 year. Congratulations go to:
- Chair: Josephine Fowler, MD
- Vice chair: Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD
