CHICAGO — American Medical Association (AMA) CEO James L. Madara, MD, today released the following statement after international public affairs firm APCO Worldwide ranked the AMA first in its annual TradeMarks survey of the 50 most effective professional and trade organizations in the United States:

"In keeping with our mission statement to advance the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health, the AMA is pursuing evidence-based, bipartisan efforts with Congress, the Administration, physicians and patients to improve the health of the nation. During a time of unprecedented change in medicine, the AMA is working to help physicians conquer the challenges of a rapidly-evolving health care system, to reduce the burden of chronic disease among patients, and to create the medical school of the future so tomorrow's physicians are able to deliver 21st Century medicine. Faced with long odds, the AMA's advocacy has achieved notable victories over the past 18 months, including the repeal of the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, improved regulations for electronic health records, and providing the U.S. Department of Justice with the fact-based analyses it needs to stop mega mergers of health insurance companies. We are pleased that APCO has recognized the AMA's broad-based efforts to advance the delivery of healthcare for patients and physicians. The AMA will continue to work tirelessly for greater progress in the reduction of administrative burdens to combat the rising burnout factor in medicine and enable physicians to spend more time with their patients."

The AMA is actively advancing three strategic initiatives:

Improving Health Outcomes: In keeping with its long-standing commitment to patient health, the AMA is collaborating with key stakeholders to develop and implement new approaches to prevent progression of chronic conditions and improve patient health outcomes for prediabetes and heart disease. Over the past three years, the AMA has established partnerships with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, the Ad Council, and additional public and private-sector organizations to develop credible programs to track and improve population-level health outcomes for these chronic diseases.

Enhancing Professional Satisfaction and Practice Sustainability: To help reduce physician burnout and improve delivery of care, the AMA is developing pragmatic solutions to reduce complexity and costs related to medical practice so that physicians can continue to put patients first. In recent years, the AMA has built digital tools for physician practice improvement, including AMA's STEPS Forward practice transformation series, a collection of interactive, educational modules developed by physicians to help physicians address common practice challenges and achieve the aims of: better patient experience, better population health, lower overall costs, and improved professional satisfaction. AMA STEPS Forward was recently recognized the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for improving delivery of care under the new Medicare law (MACRA).

Creating the Medical School of the Future: To better prepare new physicians for the future practice of medicine and the evolving realities of the health care system, the AMA is partnering with 32 of the leading medical schools in the country and national organizations to develop bold, innovative ways to improve physician training. As a result of this work, students will emerge from medical school empowered and better prepared to serve patients in our increasingly diverse, patient-centered, value-driven health care system.

To learn more about the AMA's work, visit #/AHealthierNation.org.