Last Updated: Jun 26, 2024

Twenty-three physicians attended the American Medical Association (AMA) Annual Meeting on behalf of the Pennsylvania Delegation, with as many additional PA physicians representing their specialty or section in Chicago in early June. This robust attendance from PAMED members, led by PA Delegation Chair, Dr. Jill Owens, ensured Pennsylvania’s voice was heard across councils, sections, and the AMA House of Delegates. Some of the highlights included:

• Pennsylvania submitted three items of business
• Equity in Dialysis Care: this resolution calls on the AMA to prioritize improving the equitable access to dialysis care that affects many under-represented communities. This resolution was passed with additional resolves added to add focus on indigenous populations.
• Accountability & Transparency in GME Funding with Annual Report: this resolution came from the 2023 PAMED HOD and calls on the AMA to work with federal agencies to issue a report on GME funding and funding allocations. This resolution passed with minimal amendments.
•  Physician Participation in Healthcare Organizations: this resolution came from the 2023 PAMED HOD and calls on the AMA to reaffirm the participation of physicians on healthcare organization boards. This resolution reaffirmed existing AMA policy.
• Pennsylvania honored four late PAMED leaders who made a significant impact at the national level through memorial resolutions:
• Edward Dench, MD, cosponsored by the American Society of Anesthesiologists
• George Green, MD, cosponsored by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
• Edith Mitchell, MD, cosponsored by the National Medical Association and the Association for Clinical Oncology
• Donald Parlee, MD, cosponsored by the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society
• Pennsylvania continues to lead in the conversation on Medicare payment reform, through delegation collaboration and leadership at the AMA Board Level. Drs. Marilyn Heine and Michael Suk serve as AMA Board Trustees.

• Pennsylvania delegation members serve on various additional councils and committees – reaching from the young physician section to organized medical staff section, to Delegate Dr. Dale Mandel serving as Chair of Reference Committee D. A testament to Dr. Mandel’s leadership, Reference Committee D’s report received the fewest extractions.

• Pennsylvania members shared some social time connecting and collaborating, at Five Iron Golf in Chicago’s Downtown Loop.