The University of Toledo

About Us

About the AMA
Founded in 1847, the AMA is the most respected and politically active national organization which represents the interests of medical students, residents, doctors, and most importantly patients.  Nearly 240,000 medical students and physicians are members of the AMA, representing all states and specialty societies, and a diversity of ideas and points of view.  The AMA has a hand in every aspect of medicine, and its stance on various issues is determined by its members.  The AMA plays an influential role in affecting healthcare as well as legislative policy.  The organization addresses current and future problems in healthcare, develops governing rules for physicians nationwide, and provides expert advice to policy makers.  Of specific interest to medical education, the AMA's voice is heard through the Liscensing Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and the AMA's own political action committee (AMPAC), which is one of the top PACs on Capitol Hill.

There are two characteristics about AMA that make it unique.  The first is its continuity.  Unlike other organizations that you can join in medical school, the AMA is the prominent professional organization of physicians and medical students alike.  So no matter what point you are at in your medical career, AMA provides support and guidance. This continuity is the reason AMA has such a presence in policymaking and healthcare. A few ways AMA strives to improve healthcare include determining medical school curriculum, providing current research to doctors, and lobbying politicians in Washington. This same continuity allows medical students like you to network with fellow peers and physicians from around the country, learn about different specialties, explore various summer research opportunities, and more! 

The second characteristic is the democratic method AMA uses to deal with business.  What we really want you to understand about the AMA is that you determine how much you want to be involved.  If you really want something to change or if you really want to change policy, you have the power to do it. 

About the AMA-MSS
When medical students join the AMA, they automatically become a part of the Medical Student Section (MSS).  Composed of nearly 50,000 medical student peers, the AMA-MSS is the nation's largest and most influential medical student organization.  The AMA-MSS assembly represents students from all accredited U.S. allopathic and osteopathic schools across the country.  The AMA-MSS ensures that student issues are represented in the AMA House of Delegates, which votes on all AMA policy and political action iniatives.  As such, the AMA-MSS plays an important role in guiding medical education and accreditaion.  The AMA-MSS has a great deal of power and responsibility nationally, as it is recognized by the AMA as the voice of medical students throughout the nation.

For example, it was the MSS that initiated the policy with the AMA that banned smoking on airplanes.  The MSS also votes on electing the state and national AMA leaders.  And of course, the MSS at UTCOM plays a prominent role at the campus and community level.  In past years we sponsored lunchtime speakers who gave some perspective on succeeding in medical school, healthcare issues, and healthcare economics.  We even brought in Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur to address some healthcare issues and possible solutions that are currently being discussed in Columbus and Washington.

As problems in healthcare continue to arise, doctors and patients rely on AMA to search for solutions.  For example, 15% of the US population is uninsured and that number is on the rise.  The number one goal of the AMA is to cover the uninsured.  Whether you believe in universal healthcare or you want to see privatization, the AMA offers you the power to voice your opinion and make a change.