AAFP Opportunities

AAFP -- The AAFP is one of the nation's largest medical organizations. Among its purposes are to promote and maintain high standards among physicians who practice family medicine and to provide advocacy, representation and leadership for the specialty. The Academy offers medical students a unique opportunity to expand their understanding of organized medicine through active participation on its Board of Directors, commissions and committees. Learn more about these leadership opportunities by exploring Getting Involved in Your Academy, which contains position descriptions, meeting schedules, reimbursement policies and application forms.

AFP Chapters -- AAFP constituent chapters offer medical students opportunities for leadership, regardless of experience. While the nature of these opportunities varies with each chapter, common experiences include policy development, legislative advocacy and program development. To learn more about opportunities on chapter, boards, commissions and committees contact your AAFP chapter executive for information.

FMIG Network -- Your campus FMIG, run by students for medical students, provides numerous opportunities to get involved and take a leadership role. Although each FMIG is unique, FMIGs frequently have four or more officer positions and two or more steering committees to plan the club's activities. Many of the officer and chair positions provide opportunities for students to develop core leadership skills such as working with volunteers, fundraising and running meetings. To learn more about the campus FMIG at your school, call the department of family medicine or contact the FMIG Network via e-mail at fmignet@aafp.org.

Other Opportunities

American Association of Medical Colleges-Organization of Student Representatives (AAMC-OSR) -- The OSR is the student branch of the AAMC and has a constituency of representatives from each of the allopathic medical schools in the United States. OSR representatives are afforded opportunities to take leadership roles in areas such as curriculum reform, cross-cultural education, community service, humanism, legislative advocacy and other topics in medical education.

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) -- AACOM exists to support all 23 colleges of osteopathic medicine in the U.S. Through this site, you can learn more about the osteopathic community -- research osteopathic medicine, look through resources for osteopathic medical education, read about their government advocacy efforts and reports, surveys and publications put out by AACOM.

American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) -- Similar to the AAFP, this organization works to increase the number of osteopathic medical students who choose family medicine. ACOFP works to create quality education, leadership and advocacy in AOA-accredited schools and in post-graduate training programs. Through this site, you can learn more about osteopathic medicine and find personal and professional growth opportunities as a student and resident.

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) -- The mission of the ACU is to improve the health of underserved populations by enhancing the development and support of health care clinicians serving these populations. This site provides information on mentorship programs, student newsletters and financial and educational resources for finding financial aid.

American Medical Association-Medical School Section (AMA-MSS) -- Medical students are represented in the AMA through this policy-making body. The core purpose of the AMA-MSS is to represent medical students, improve medical education, develop leadership and promote activism for the health of America. AMA student leadership opportunities are available at each level of the organization. In addition, MSS members are appointed as liaisons to other organizations and groups that work closely with the AMA. The organization also provides many opportunities to get involved in advocacy and policy issues such as resident work conditions and medical student debt.

American Medical Student Association (AMSA) -- AMSA is a student-governed organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. AMSA focuses on five priorities: including universal health care, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine, leadership development and transforming the culture of medicine. Visit the Take Action: How to Get Involved section of this Web site to learn more about legislation, leadership opportunities, projects, meetings and conferences.

American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) -- AMWA members promote women's health and ensure that their issues are heard among all levels of government. Student members of AMWA enjoy a wide range of benefits, including networking with leading women in the medical field, enhancing leadership skills and influencing key legislation concerning women's health issues. This Web site provides a forum in which women in the field can share their experiences and learn from each other about balancing their career with a family.

Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS) -- As part of the Association of American Indian Physicians, ANAMS is a resource and support network for Native American medical students. ANAMS seeks to increase the number of Native American students in medicine as well as promote its exposure and recognition on a national level. ANAMS provides students with avenues to get involved at national and regional levels of the organization. This Web site includes information on conferences, workshops, publications and leadership and service opportunities.

Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) -- APAMSA represents over 15,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) medical students and aims to improve health care for APA patients. The Web site provides information on APAMSA's national conference, special programs and other resources. APAMSA's projects include Hepatitis B education and immunization, bone marrow donation and health initiative letter writing campaign.

Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) -- LMSA (formerly NNLAMS) was founded to represent, support, educate and unify Latin American medical students in the U.S. Now more than 30 years in existence, the organization works to eliminate health disparities, educate medical students on Latino health issues and advocate for rights of Latinos in the health care system. LMSA leaders also work closely with the National Hispanic Medical Association.

Pisacano Leadership Foundation -- This foundation was established to enhance the specialty of family medicine by identifying and promoting the development of future family physician leaders. The foundation sponsors the Pisacano Scholars Leadership Program, which offers many career development opportunities as well as scholarship funding. Pisacano Scholars participate in semi-annual leadership development symposia and are offered mentoring opportunities with current leaders in family medicine.

Student National Medical Association (SNMA) -- SNMA is the oldest and largest medical student organization dedicated to people of color and underserved communities. It offers training, career enrichment and networking opportunities. SNMA programs and activities are implemented by local chapters based at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools across the country.