Two dozen physicians and spouses of physicians were elected to public office during the 2014 General Election in November, all graduates of educational programs provided by AMPAC, the AMA’s bipartisan political action committee.
From local positions to state legislatures, U.S. Congress to governorships, these medicine-friendly political candidates were strong performers in the 2014 election season. The 17 physicians, six physician spouses and one state society executive who won elections join another seven physicians and three spouses who are former AMPAC program participants continuing their service in public offices.
One other physician AMPAC grad is waiting for a run-off election: U.S Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, who is currently leading in polling for the Dec. 6 runoff for the U.S. Senate seat in the Pelican State. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Ami Bera, MD, D-California, was just declared the winner of his race after all ballots were counted.
These successful campaigns all had one thing in common: The candidates participated in AMPAC training programs to prepare them for their run for office.
Cardiothoracic surgeon Richard M. Briggs, MD, of Knoxville, Tennessee, participated in the AMPAC Candidate Workshop in 2013. Dr. Briggs just won a seat in the Tennessee State Senate.
“I used the course as a model for my successful state senate campaign,” he said, citing the program’s detailed materials and professional consultants as the most beneficial components for him.
If you’re an AMA member and you or your spouse are considering making the leap from the exam room to the campaign trail, the AMPAC Candidate Workshop taking place Feb. 20-22 in Arlington, Virginia, is for you.
The workshop provides training in campaign strategizing, media advertising, public speaking and fundraising. At the workshop, political veterans will share their advice about politics and explain the sacrifices required to run a competitive campaign. Attendees also will learn the secrets of effective fundraising, how to become a better public speaker and how to handle campaign crises, among other skills.
For those who want to become more involved in campaigning for their candidates, the AMPAC Campaign School offers hands-on training.
This five-day “boot camp” for politics centers around a simulated congressional campaign, during which attendees are trained in advertising, public speaking and fundraising and participate in such practical exercises as recording radio ads and writing fundraising letters. The campaign school takes place April 15-19 in Arlington, Virginia.
All expenses, minus travel to and from the Arlington area, are covered for accepted applicants. Participants must be AMA members, spouses of AMA members or state or county medical association staff members.
