The University of Toledo

American Medical Student Association (AMSA) 

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States.

Today, AMSA is a student-governed, national organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. AMSA members are medical students, premedical students, interns, residents and practicing physicians. Founded in 1950, AMSA continues its commitment to improving medical training and the nation's health.

How is AMSA different from other organizations? When you join AMSA, you become part of a vital force of future physicians who believe that patients and health professionals are partners in the management of health care and that access to high-quality health care is a right and not a privilege. At AMSA, activism is a way of life. Student idealism is transformed into meaningful public service, innovation and institutional change.

There are many opportunities to get involved at a national level, through leadership, conferences, grassroots movements, and action committees/interest groups.

On a local level, the UTCOM AMSA is very involved. AMSA sponsors a Medicine Ball every February, which is a semi-formal dinner and dance that benefits the Perrysburg Community Care Clinic as well as the Students for Medical Missions’ scholarship fund. In addition, AMSA hosts an all-specialty residency fair in the fall, a medical instrument sale, a UTCOM apparel sale, embroiders the names on the students’ white coats, sponsors lunch lectures, and does community service such as Relay for Life and Toys for Tots.

To learn more about the American Medical Student Association, please visit www.amsa.org

Officers 2012-2013 

 President: Melissa Straub

 Vice President: Sharmila Kulkarni

 Secretary: Courtney Nelson

 Treasurer: Todd Miyake

 Community Service Chair: Sheng Fu

 Social Chair: Bryan Stevens 

 Publicity Chair: Aaron Shaver

 Medicine Ball Chair: Melissa Truit

 Advisor: Joan Duggan, MD