News & Press Releases

Message from Rebecca J. Patchin, MD, AMA Board Chair

Dear Colleague,

As the media, bloggers and others present their versions of the AMA’s policies and actions, we encourage you to take advantage of the many ways you can get accurate information directly from the American Medical Association and to share these valuable resources with your friends and colleagues. We have a series of free e-newsletters, including one dedicated to health system reform. The AMA Web site has a wealth of important information, including all our news releases and letters to the editor and detailed information on the AMA’s health reform efforts, including a summary of actions taken at the 2009 AMA Annual Meeting.

As physicians and medical students, we are in the midst of an historic opportunity for our profession and our nation as we seek to transform our health system into something better. We cannot be distracted from this important mission by those who seek to misrepresent us. We must stay focused on passing health reform this year that covers the uninsured and better serves patients and the physicians who care for them.

I am proud of the physicians of the AMA and their ability to come together in an open, collegial environment to set policy through the AMA House of Delegates, comprised of elected physician and medical student representatives from all state and national medical specialty societies. It is the only physician organization that gives all physicians a voice in the future of medicine. Our position at the center of the health reform debate is an honor and a serious responsibility.

With knowledge comes power, and it has never been more important for all physicians and medical students to make their voices heard. Together we are stronger.

Sincerely,
Rebecca J. Patchin, M.D.
Chair, AMA Board of Trustees