The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation’s oldest and largest, independent association for physicians-in-training, has been selected to host the 62nd General Assembly of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) in March 2013, the world’s largest gathering of medical students. More than 2,500 physicians-in-training from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the event, which will be held in Washington, D.C., March 5-15, 2013. AMSA’s Annual Convention will be held March 14-17, 2013.
“The General Assembly is going to be an amazing opportunity for the world’s future physicians to come together on one stage, in the powerful city of Washington D.C., to champion health access, health equality and the social determinants of health for our global citizens,” says Danielle Salovich, AMSA national president, 2011-2012. “As we continue to fight for women’s health rights, access to medicines across the globe and healthcare for all, there has never been a more important time for medical students to join together.”
The theme of the meeting will be AMSA hopes to empower attendees and provide them with the tools they need to improve health care by using their voice to shape the policies that influence the medical profession. Advocacy has increasingly been recognized as a core element of medical professionalism. Due to their role in society and the unique features of the doctor-patient relationship, physicians and physicians-in-training are uniquely suited to advocate with and for patients.
“As part of the General Assembly, thousands of medical students will rally for social justice in the U.S. health care system and across the globe,” says Elizabeth Wiley, JD, MPH, and AMSA president-elect. “We are also looking forward to the hands-on workshops for attendees to gain advocacy training surrounding specific topics of interest: social determinants of health, medical professionalism and conflict of interest, patient safety, mental health and more.”
As a unique post General Assembly option, delegates will have the opportunity to attend AMSA-USA’s 63rd Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. Before the meeting, delegates may travel to NYC, Boston or Philadelphia.
AMSA joined IFMSA and became the United States’ National Member Organization (NMO) in 2008. The last IFMSA General Assembly held in the United States was more than 35 years ago.
Written by: Kim Cunningham [email protected]
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