Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) policymaking

Whether you are new to the Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) or a seasoned member, you have the power to shape AMA policy and action on critical trainee issues in medicine.

Resolutions adopted by the AMA House of Delegates become AMA policy. This helps direct the advocacy of the organization when interfacing with federal and state governments and other entities. The RFS may write, adopt and send resolutions to the AMA House of Delegates, giving RFS a voice in the AMA.

View the AMA module “How AMA Policy is Made.”

A resolution is a proposal that asks the RFS or AMA to take a position and/or an action. A resolution consists of at least one directive to take action or a new/amended position statement accompanied by supporting statements or facts. 

A resolution should:

• Identify a problem
• Provide a logical argument for why physicians should care about the problem
• Propose a solution

Before submitting a resolution, members should ask themselves:

• Does the proposal deal with resident or fellow issues?
• Is the proposed matter feasible? (Can it be done?)
• Is it advisable? (Should it be done?)
• Is it efficient? (What is the cost-benefit ratio?)
• Has a similar report or resolution been presented and rejected? If so, why?
• Is it consistent with current AMA policy?

• Apr. 7, 2025, 5 p.m. Central: Resolution deadline
• Apr. 28, 2025: Virtual Reference Committee opens
• Week of May 5: Live Zoom testimony session
• May 9, 2025: Virtual Reference Committee closes
• June 2, 2025: RFS Reference Committee report released
• June 6, 2025: RFS Annual Meeting in Chicago

• Resolution template (DOCX, members only)
• Resolution template instructions (PDF, members only)

• RFS staff will not format or edit resolution submissions.
• Resolutions that do not adhere to the template will be returned to the author for editing.
• Submit resolutions as soon as possible to allow time for review of proper formatting prior to the deadline.

Learn how to write an op-ed piece, what makes a strong topic, how and where to submit your op-ed, and understanding journalistic ethics in op-ed writing.

• RFS Delegation Guide (PDF)
• RFS Resolution Writing Guide (PDF, members only)
• RFS Position Compendium (PDF)
• 2024 Interim Meeting RFS Reference Committee Report - Annotated (PDF)
• Summary of RFS Assembly actions 2020-2024 (PDF)
• 2024 RFS Annual Meeting Delegates’ Report (PDF, members only)
• AMA Policy Finder: Search for policies adopted by the AMA House of Delegates.
• Federal and state correspondence finder: Search for AMA testimony, comment letters and sign-on letters guided by AMA policy and submitted to federal and state governments or other entities.
• Litigation Center case summary finder: Search for information on AMA’s engagement in lawsuits relating to medicine.

The RFS policy process is directed by the RFS delegates and supported by AMA staff. Please contact us with any questions.

• Joey Whelihan, MD, delegate: joeywhelihan48@gmail.com
• Tristan Mackey, MD, alternate delegate: tmmackey@uic.edu
• AMA staff: rfs@ama-assn.org