A discipline is formally recognized as a medical specialty when it takes its place in the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates. APPI’s seat within the House of Delegates allows us to promote the field of pharmaceutical medicine and impact national healthcare policy, especially as it pertains to the interests of patients and clinical trial participants as well as pharmaceutical physicians and clinical investigators. APPI achieved delegate status in 2002 through the tireless work of a dedicated group of our AMA committee members. Since that time Hugh Tilson has served as Alternate Delegate and I have served as Delegate. Both of us have been active participants in AMA activities for several decades. Dr. Tilson has asked that we begin the process of responsible succession planning by soliciting interest among APPI members taking over the position of Alternate Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates. I also will not serve forever.
Each year, AMA Delegates and alternates attend the five day Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates scheduled in Chicago in June of each year (June 13-17 in 2009) and the four day Interim Meeting in November which is held in a different city each year (November 7-10 in Houston in 2009).
Prior to each meeting of the House of Delegates, the delegate and alternate review several hundred proposed resolutions and reports to select the ten to fifteen they believe most relevant to APPI’s membership and mission. They prepare a written summary of these items along with suggested APPI positions and send this summary to the Academy leadership for approval of positions they will then advocate at reference committees and plenary sessions held during meetings of the House of Delegates. The Delegate and Alternate generally report on AMA activities at APPI’s annual meeting and in APPI publications.
AMA requires that Delegates be members of AMA. Previous experience in organized medicine, such as service on an AMA committee or a state delegation to the AMA House of delegates or a leadership position in a state medical society or national specialty society is extremely helpful, but not essential.
Additional information can be provided on the specific responsibilities and background of APPI in the AMA House of Delegates. If you are interested, please contact Sara Kilkenny, External Relations Manager, at sara@acrpnet.org.
Thank you for your consideration,
Peter H. Rheinstein, MD, JD, MS APPI President-Elect and Delegate to AMA