AMSA’s Annual Convention: Largest Gathering of Medical Students Celebrates 60 Years

March 8, 2010 - PRLog -- More than 1,000 future physicians are expected to attend the American Medical Student Association’s (AMSA) 60th Annual Convention, March 11-14, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif., to discuss the evolution of 21st century medicine. Hot topics include implementing a code of ethics for medical professionals and trainees using social media tools; threats to professionalism in medicine; health care reform; the effect of food production on health; the explosion of human trafficking within U.S. borders; the importance of end-of-life care training; and a hands-on environmental justice tour of South Central Los Angeles.

Premedical and medical students, international medical students, residents and interns, physicians and other activists from across the country will assemble for “AMSA at 60! Celebrating Passion, Professionalism, Pride,” a four-day conference of innovative workshops and organizational policymaking relating to top health care issues.
Special events include AMSA’s 60th birthday celebration, Pre-Health Professions Fair, Residency Fair & Specialty Showcase and the 15th Annual Poster Session. On Friday, the third annual Raising Our Voices: Women Leaders in Medicine Awards and Reception will honor U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin and five other women leaders in medicine for their passion and commitment to social justice, advancing women and mentoring young leaders in medicine.

“We live in a time where physicians-in-training are needed as leaders to effect change in medical education and in the health care system we are all soon to inherit,” says Dr. Lauren S. Hughes, MPH, AMSA national president.  “AMSA’s Annual Convention provides members the opportunity to broaden their learning beyond the classroom and to take steps toward becoming socially responsible physicians and leaders in medical education and health care. In an era where the health of millions is threatened by poverty and lack of health insurance, inequity that distorts the composition and distribution of the physician workforce, and intricate industry-physician relationships that challenge the ethics of our profession, this supplemental education has never been more important.”

Participants will also participate in exciting community service events, including:
• American Red Cross Blood Drive (Thursday, March 11)
• Project Linus (Friday, March 12)
Attendees will make handmade fleece blankets that will be given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children.
• Children’s Hospital of Orange County (Saturday, March 13)
Attendees will be designing birthday posters for sick children at Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

AMSA's House of Delegates
The House of Delegates is a delegation of medical students from each local medical school chapter who meet at the annual convention to vote on AMSA’s policies and to elect national officers.

You may access the entire convention program online: http://www.amsa.org/AMSA/Libraries/Convention/2010AMSA-co....

Follow #amsa60 on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates and event happenings.

AMSA is also proud to feature Radio Rounds™, a weekly medical radio talk show produced by medical students at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, at this year's convention. Check out convention coverage at: http://www.radiorounds.org/.

Media Information
Members of the media are welcome to attend all AMSA convention events. Media must check in at the AMSA registration booth for complimentary press credentials. For more information, contact Kim Cunningham, AMSA Director of Public Relations, at (781) 223-4042 or pr@amsa.org.  

About the American Medical Student Association
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, nonprofit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With more than 62,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://www.amsa.org/AMSA/Homepage.aspx.

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The American Medical Student Association is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA makes medicine a better place for students, patients and communities.